Chennai, September 5, 2016: Delhi Dynamos Football Club,
the Delhi based club of the Hero Indian Super League is all set to kick off
their 2016 season from tomorrow. North India ’s
only club from the Hero ISL, Delhi Dynamos F.C. will take on defending
Champions Chennaiyin FC on the latter’s home turf, Marina Arena, on October
6.
Delhi Dynamos F.C. popularly referred to as ‘The
Lions’ have been through a successful pre season in England and Sweden under
the abled guidance of Head Coach Gianluca Zambrotta, the prolific midfielder
who won the 2006 FIFA World Cup as a player for Italy. The Italian great
would be assisted by past team mate Simone Barone along with Raman Vijayan and
Shakti Chauhan as their Indian counterparts.
The Lions who started their pre-season tour on high
becoming the only HERO ISL team till date to have played against the
first team of an EPL side, when they lost 1- 0 to West Bromwich Albion FC, in a
highly competitive match. Delhi Dynamos FC then moved on to Sweden for a three
match pre season preparation and returned home with one draw and two
magnificent wins against Swede clubs BK Hacken, Assyriska, Skene IF
respectively.
“We have worked very hard and I am glad that we saw some
favorable results from this hard work in our pre season exploits in England and Sweden . The team has gelled in well
and they are playing as a cohesive unit and that’s what gives me a huge
confidence, as we get ready to kick off our season against the defending
champions tomorrow. Our aim is to win and give in our best on the ground
and each one of us will take the field with that in our mind,” said
Gianluca Zambrotta, ahead of the Dynamos first clash of the season.
While retaining French Legend and Champions League Winner
Florent Malouda as their Marquee Player, the primary new additions for this
season have come in the form of defensive re-enforcements. Ruben Gonzalez and
Marcos Tebar, two defenders who partnered Sergio Ramos in the centre of Real
Madrid’s defense in their day have been brought in to shore up the spine.
Gonzalez, a giant in the air at 6 feet 2 inches was part of the Galacticos Era
of Real Madrid where he won the Champions League as well as La Liga.
David Addy, an attacking fullback who won the Taca De
Portugal with Porto is another addition and
will play on the left side of Dynamos defense. With strength in depth being the
deciding factor of the competition, Delhi Dynamos F.C. have retained Anas
Edathodika in defence while adding Lalruatthara, Lalchhawnkima and Chinglensana
Konsham. Souvik Chakrabarti, a versatile midfielder who is also adept as a full
back, gives the manager options galore as the games come thick and fast.
The only addition to the goalkeeping department consisting
of Sweeper Keeper Toni Doblas and Sanjiban Ghosh is Soirem Poirei, who has
displayed excellent form prior to the tournament.
The creative hub of the team in midfield and attack has seen
some wholesale changes this season. While Malouda is expected to dictate the
heartbeat of the team, he will be assisted by the Defensive Minded Ibrahima
Niasse of Senegal
as well as the Brazilian trio of Bruno Pelissari, Marcelinho and Emerson Gomez
de Moura. The likes of Milan Singh and Denson Devadas are also involved in this
hub of creativity.
With pace on the wings being one of the greatest
weapons of the modern game, fan favourite Richard Gadze of Ghana returns
to the club after a stint with HJK Helsinki whom he, among others, represented
in the Europa League. He will be joined by former NCAA Star Kean Lewis, along
with his Badara Badji, Arjun Tudu and the 20 year old revelation in Rupert
Nongrum.
A look at the setup of the entire squad suggests a
very well thought out strategy, based on a solid defense combined with breath
taking pace on the counter. With almost two players for every position, and one
of the youngest average ages of the tournament at 26 years, Delhi Dynamos F.C.
have strategically placed themselves in a position where the rigors of the
season leaves the team mostly unaffected.
Club President Prashant Agarwal, who has been
instrumental in the growth of the side, has put forward a confident prediction
for his team who, by his words seem to be chomping at the figurative bit!
“The entire squad has been eagerly waiting for the League to start. The team has assimilated into a very cohesive unit and with the right mix of experienced and youth players, I am confident that we will make heads turn this season. Winning is our only goal and we can't wait to take the field and return victorious. We are confident of a great start to the Hero ISL 2016 and look to roar our way to a great win in the opening match against the Chennaiyin F.C.”, said Mr. Prashant Agarwal, President, Delhi Dynamos F.C.
However marquee Player and Skipper Florent Malouda has a different take to this season and says, “The schedule this time around is a bit different and we start with two away games. I think we need to be really focused to win three points against the champions of the last season in our first game.”
The Champions League Winner believes that the key to a good start to the season well would be a mix of discipline and concentration, while keeping an open mind.
The game, a battle of wits between two World Cup
Winners, teammates and moreover friends in Gianluca Zambrotta and Marco
Materazzi should provide an interesting battle of wits, with camaraderie
expected to disappear once the ball gets rolling.
Press release
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