Bengaluru: A new-look Bengaluru FC side will kick off their pre-season training this week in the city before heading to Spain early next month for a 10-day training camp. The Blues will train at the state-of-the-art facilities at Pinatar Arena in Murcia during their stay in the Mediterranean region. Having finalized their squad on Sunday at the ISL Draft, Bengaluru FC Head Coach Albert Roca will now have an eye on the crucial AFC Cup Inter-Zonal semifinal against North Korean side April 25 SC as he prepares his squad for the first leg at home onAugust 23.

“The facilities at Pinatar Arena are top-class and I thank the management for providing us with this opportunity. The arena will provide us with everything we need to get up and running as fast as possible. Among all the other ISL teams, we’ll be in action first in the AFC Cup and it’s important that we utilize this time well so that our team settles in quickly. While we have managed to retain the core of our team, there are a lot of new signings which means that we need to put in that extra effort in pre-season to gel as a unit,” explained Roca.

During their stay, the Blues are set to face Spanish Segunda-B Division side UCAM Murcia CF (August 9) and 2016-17 UAE Pro League side Baniyas S&R(August 15) in friendly games.

The Blues base – the Pinatar Arena – boasts of six natural grass (Bermuda and ray grass) floodlit football pitches at FIFA standards with special areas designated for goalkeepers and a stadium with a capacity of 3,500 spectators that hosts friendlies and tournaments. The Arena also has top-class fitness centers with all the latest equipment from health and fitness innovators.

While the facility recently hosted an U21 tournament between national teams of Australia, Austria, Finland and Netherlands, they have regularly hosted training camps of top-flight clubs from all over Europe. A few of them include, German heavyweights Borussia Dortmund and FC Kaiserslautern, Spanish sides Levante UD and UD Almeria, Russian powerhouses CSKA Moscow and FC Zenit apart from Ulsan Hyundai (South Korea), FC Twente (Netherlands), Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia) and Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine).

This will be the second time the Blues travel abroad for a pre-season training camp having earlier visited China at the start of the 2014-15 season. Back then, the Blues faced off against Sven-Goran Eriksson’s Guangzhou R&F FC (0-3) from the Chinese Super League and Hong Kong Premier League’s Eastern AA (0-2).

The 23-man team departs from India on August 5^th and is scheduled to return on August 16^th.

Bengaluru: Bengaluru FC have added more Spanish flavour to the side, signing winger Antonio Rodriguez Dovale for the 2017-18 campaign. Twenty-seven-year-old ‘Toni’, as he is widely known, joins Bengaluru FC from Spanish Segunda Division side Rayo Vallecano with whom he spent the 2016-17 season. He also becomes the third Spanish player in the side alongside Juanan Gonzalez and Dimas Delgado.

 

Born in A Coruña in Northern Spain, Toni spent his formative years at Obradoiro and FC Barcelona before joining Celta de Vigo in 2005 as a youth player. Two years later he was promoted to the reserve side before making his first team debut in the Segunda Divsion in 2009.

 

A brief loan spell at fellow Segunda Division side SD Huesca in 2010-11 was followed by a return to Celta, where he made 30 appearances helping the side achieve promotion to the La Liga at the end of the 2011-12 season. Over the next two years, Toni played an important role for Celta in the top-flight with the highlight being an impressive 9th place finish in the 2013-14 season.

 

Toni crossed the Atlantic in the year 2014 as he signed for Sporting Kansas City in the Major League Soccer (USA) where he helped the team reach the post-season play-offs. But he returned back to Spain with CD Lugo in 2014-15 before once again achieving promotion to the La Liga in the following season while playing for CD Leganes.

 

Having penned a one-year deal, Toni was eager to begin his journey at Bengaluru FC as soon as possible. “I am very excited about this new challenge in my career. I know I am coming to a big club and just can’t wait to start training to achieve our objectives this season. I have a good experience as a professional player, and I think that this is a step forward in my career which will be very important,” he said.

 

Toni was also excited with the prospect of playing in front of the Blues’ faithful, which he regards as a vital part of the club. “The fans are very important for us and I know that they are always supporting the club. I want to assure them that I will do my best to help the club achieve our goals for the season. I am feeling the good vibes and hope that this season will be a successful one,” he added.

 

Albert Roca, Bengaluru FC Head Coach, welcomed Toni into the Blues’ fold. “Antonio is a good young player and a crafty winger. Having played at the highest level in Spain, he brings in vital experience which will help us in the season ahead. He still wants to continue improving and his desire to learn will help him settle in quickly,” said Roca.

Bengaluru: Less than a week after retaining Sunil Chhetri and Udanta Singh, Bengaluru FC have added to their arsenal in signing Australian midfielder Erik Paartalu on a season-long deal. The Blues have also retained defender Juanan Gonzalez who will join John Johnson for another season at the heart of Bengaluru’s defence.

Towering at 6’4″, Sydney-born Paartalu began his career in the National Soccer League, now the A-League, with Northern Spirit. His stints in Australia included three seasons with Brisbane Roar when they played AFC Champions League football. At Brisbane, Paartalu won two Championships and one Premiership and played 85 consecutive matches while setting an Australian record of any sporting code with an unbeaten streak of 36 games.

Paartalu moved to Chinese side Tianjin TEDA FC in 2013 before a switch to Thailand with Muangthong United the following year. He was also part of South Korean side Jeonbuk Hyundai for a brief period in the season that side went on to win the AFC Champions League.

The midfielder earned his first senior national team cap in 2012, playing in a World Cup Qualifier for the ‘Socceroos’ against Saudi Arabia.

“I was really excited by the Bengaluru FC project because it is a club that’s doing really well for itself in an expanding market. Indian football is getting bigger and bigger. It felt like the right project to get involved with. I spoke with Cameron Watson and he sold it to me in terms of where the club is. They’ve been very successful in the last four years and are looking to make major steps in the Indian Super League,” said Paartalu.

The 31-year-old was confident that his experience in AFC competition will prove handy for the Blues who are gearing up for their inter-zone semifinal in the AFC Cup against North Korean side 4.25 SC onAugust 23.

“I’ve played in a lot of countries in Asia so that experience is invaluable when it comes to playing games on different continents with short turnarounds. Being 31, I’ve experienced football for a long time and playing in the AFC Cup will definitely suit me. I look forward to playing in the ISL and I know I can do well in the League with a good team around me.”

Bengaluru FC coach Albert Roca said he was confident of Paartalu bringing his experience to the table as the club attempts to rebuild the squad this season. “A lot of things change for us this season and experience is what will play a key role during this phase. Erik brings that kind of experience with him and I’m certain he will be a vital figure at Bengaluru FC,” said Roca.

NEW DELHI, 5th July 2017: The League Committee members met under the Chairmanship of Mr. Subrata Dutta at AIFF Headquarters, Football House, Dwarka, New Delhi on Wednesday (July 5, 2017). The Committee unanimously took the following decisions:

The I-League and the Indian Super League will be held simultaneously for the 2017-18 season and would kick-off after the completion of the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017.

The Committee also deliberated on the proposal from various PSUs of conducting an Institutional/Corporate League for the PSUs and Corporates, starting from 2017-18 season and unanimously agreed on the proposal to organise the league under the aegis of AIFF, subject to all expenses being borne by the participating teams.

A task force was formed to oversee operation, marketing and promotion of the I-League 2017-18. The task-force comprises of the Chairman of the League Committee, the Vice-Chairman of the League Committee, a member from FSDL and the AIFF General Secretary and the CEO, I-League, as ex officio members.

The Committee asked the AIFF General Secretary to discuss with Asian Football Confederation as to how they would like to operationalise the future road map for Club Football in India and empowered him to form the task force for the purpose, if required.

Meanwhile, it was confirmed by FSDL that the I-League would be broadcasted on Star Sports platform with much improved production quality.

The Committee also stated that the scheduling of the ISL and I-League matches needs to be discussed and finalised with Star Sports, FSDL and I-League department.

The Committee also approved the allocation of funds to I-League Clubs as follows:

• Travel subsidy: Rs. 50 lakhs per Club
• Special subsidy: Rs. 20 lakhs per club
• Central Marketing expenditure of Rs. 1 crore by AIFF, subject to the Clubs submitting their local marketing plan to the Federation before AIFF placing the Central Marketing expenditure to the AIFF Finance Committee.

Relating to diverse views on number of foreign players to be playing in the League, the Committee decided the matter should be referred to the AIFF Executive Committee for a final decision as it falls under the purview of the AIFF Executive Committee.

The Committee also decided that the format and timing of the proposed Super Cup/Champions Cup be finalised after reviewing the calendar of the SAFF Championships to be held in Bangladesh in 2018, and further discussions with FSDL.

Panaji, 5th July 2017: FC Goa is pleased to confirm the signings of Goalkeeper Laxmikanth Kattimani and winger Mandar Rao Dessai on 3- year-deals which will keep the players on the Konkan coast till the end of 2019-20 season. The club will now enter the domestic draft having retained the maximum quota of retentions allowed as per the regulations of the league organizers.

Club president, Akshay Tandon said, “We are delighted to have been able to agree terms with Laxmikanth Kattimani and Mandar Rao Dessai. Both of them have defended the club’s crest since its inception and we couldn’t be happier that they will continue to do so for a further three years. Both of them have been vital pieces of the jigsaw in the past seasons and we expect them to continue in the same vein. With only two players being allowed for retention, we are pleased that they have ended up being Mandar and Kattimani.”

Kattimani signs with the club having plied his trade for Mumbai FC in the concluded I-League season. The shot-stopper has made 25 appearances with the club over the past three seasons of the ISL. Since becoming first choice in the second season, no goalkeeper has managed to tally more than Kattimani’s 84 saves. Mandar renewed terms with the club having spent the last I-League season on loan at Bengaluru FC. The flying winger previously had a small stint at Villareal prior to the start of the 3rd season of the ISL.

After extending his stay at the club, Mandar said, “I’m pleased to be able to come back to Goa again. For the past three seasons, I have received an immense amount of love and support from the fans and have learnt a lot at the club. I want to continue to keep moving in an upward trajectory and continue to develop my skills under the new coach. I’m keen to play my part in ensuring the club pushes hard for the title this year.”

Kattimani added, “I’m thankful to the club for the faith they have shown in my abilities. Being a Goan, it’s a moment of pride to be able to represent the club which plays in Goa. We are starting fresh this year with a lot of expectations and after the disappointment of last season, we are keen to ensure we give the fans something to cheer about this season.”

With the duo agreeing terms, the club now has three players on its books for the upcoming season, with Bruno Pinheiro having become the first foreign signing of the club the previous month.

Bengaluru: In a big statement of intent, Bengaluru FC have retained skipper Sunil Chhetri and Udanta Singh after the duo signed three-year deals that will keep them with the Indian Super League side till the end of the 2019-20 season, the club announced on Friday. With the signings, Bengaluru FC have ticked off the ISL’s rule of a maximum of two retentions for players over twenty-one years.

 

“We are thrilled at being able to retain the present and the future of Indian football in Sunil and Udanta. The two of them have been immense for Bengaluru FC and will be vital cogs in our wheel as we take on the challenge of rebuilding the club for what will be a tough season ahead,” said club CEO, Parth Jindal.

 

Chhetri, 32, has been with Bengaluru for four seasons, finishing top scorer for the Blues every year. Udanta, meanwhile, joined Bengaluru in the 2014-15 season and has only grown from strength to strength. The twenty-one-year-old from Manipur capped off a fantastic season under Albert Roca last year where he regular starter and played a key role in the club’s Federation Cup triumph. Udanta was also named Players’ Player and Fans’ Player of the Season at the club’s annual awards night earlier this month.

 

“I’ve always been vocal about how Bengaluru FC is a club that is always close to my heart and I couldn’t be happier to commit three years to the blue shirt of BFC. The Bengaluru FC fans have always shown me so much of love and I’m glad at the prospect of playing in front of them yet again. With Bengaluru in the ISL, these are exciting times at the club and I’m sure we will build the best possible squad for the season,” said Chhetri, who with 54 goals is also the top scorer for the national team.

 

Udanta too expressed happiness at extending his stay with Bengaluru. “I’ve progressed and learnt so much in the three years that I’ve been with Bengaluru FC and I’m looking forward to giving the club and its fans three of my best years to come. It’s also reassuring to have Sunil bhai with me here and I’m confident we will be fighting for trophies like we always do,” said Udanta.

DELHI:  Delhi Dynamos FC and Mumbai City FC will look to get back on the winning track as they face each other in a Indian Super League clash at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi, on Tuesday.

Mumbai City FC started with a flourish winning their first two games and drawing the other one but were grounded by Kerala Blasters in the last game. Delhi Dynamos too had a similar experience as they dethroned defending champions Chennaiyin FC in a superb display of attacking football in their opening game but have since then settled for draws in their last two matches against Kerala Blasters and NorthEast United FC.

“We played a very good game against NorthEast United, if you consider that they are one of the best teams in the league. We had a lot of opportunities and of course we have to learn how we can utilise these opportunities. At the moment, I don’t think we have to change our strategy,’ Delhi Dynamos coach Gianluca Zambrotta said during the pre-match media briefing.

The Italian World Cup winner, unlike his Mumbai counterpart, has retained the core of the squad for all three matches and he is unlikely to change that approach even if matches come thick and fast.

“For me, it’s important to have an identity,” said Zambrotta, whose team is unbeaten in the league so far.

Mumbai City FC arrived in Delhi without their captain and talisman Diego Forlan. The former Manchester United striker has still not recovered from an injury and, according to coach Alexandre Guimaraes, should be “fully fit” for the next home clash against FC Goa.

The Costa Rican coach though will not bother much about absentees. He has done well without several key players, either through injuries, international duty, or the four players who are on duty with Bengaluru FC in the AFC Cup semi-finals.

“I think Delhi Dynamos are doing well in the league. They try to play attractive football. They have shown they are a tough team. I hope we can have a good game,” he said.

Mumbai City FC have a battle on their hand for the next five matches as four will be played away and Guimaraes knows nothing will be easy.

“There is a block of four games in which three are away, so we know the importance to win points away as well. We did that in Pune but did not get any points in Kerala. We hope we can have a better game and take points. The tournament is showing us that every game is going to be tough,” said Guimaraes.

KOLKATA: Atletico de Kolkata maintained their unbeaten record against FC Goa in the Indian Super League but were forced to settle for a point in a fiery 1-1 draw at Rabindra Sarobar Stadium, Kolkata, on Sunday.

Sameehg Doutie scored a gem of a goal in the sixth minute from a volley to put Atletico de Kolkata ahead but the match then had several twists and turns before Joffre Gonzalez converted a penalty in the 77th minute to give FC Goa a point after both teams were reduced to 10 men.

At first, Atletico de Kolkata saw Stephen Pearson being issued the marching orders for a foul on Trindade Goncalves in the 53rd minute but any advantage that FC Goa would have had was negated after Sanjay Balmuchu was sent off nine minutes later for a second bookable offence.

The draw left Atletico de Kolkata with six points from four matches, which includes three draws, while FC Goa got their first point from four matches and continue to be placed at the bottom of the league table.

With three consecutive losses it was no surprise that FC Goa chief coach Zico decided to ring in the changes. There were five changes for the visitors as Zico preferred to hand starts to the likes of Subashish Roy Choudhury, Gregory Arnolin, Keenan Almeida and Robin Singh, all making their debuts in this edition of the ISL.

Atletico de Kolkata also made three changes with Stephen Pearson, Abinash Ruidas and Henrique Sereno handed starts for the first time. The momentum was with FC Goa at the start but it were the hosts who stunned FC Goa with a brilliant goal.

FC Goa would have been wondering why they conceded the free kick in the first place. Raju Gaekwad needlessly brought down Doutie. Javi Lara stepped forward to take the free kick and curled the ball into the goalmouth where Raju headed it just outside the box but the danger was not cleared: Doutie who was well-positioned struck his volley perfectly and beat Choudhury under the Goa bar.

FC Goa regained their composure and started to launch a wave of attacks. Rafael Coelho’s cross was disappointing as Joffre had made a fine run and was all alone inside the box in the 13th minute.Three minutes later, Trindade was played through by Joffre but ATK defender Arnab Mondal cleared the danger.

The match took a dramatic twist in the 53rd minute when Pearson was sent off. Zico made quick changes bringing in Romeo Fernandes and Mandar Rao Desai but the advantage was negated as Goa midfielder Balmuchu was sent off nine minutes later.

The visitors were lucky to escape with a point after scoring the equaliser from the spot in the 77th minute. Goa won the penalty as Borja Fernandez handled the ball from a Joffre corner-kick and Joffre himself completed the formalities from the spot.

Atletico de Kolkata could have walked away with full points but Goa goalkeeper Choudhury came up with two good saves to deny Lara, from a free-kick, and Iain Hume.

Atlético de Kolkata XI: Debjit Majumder (GK), Henrique Sereno, Arnab Mondal, Pritam Kotal, Prabir Das, Borja Fernández (C), Javi Lara, Stephen Pearson, Abhinas Ruidas (Bikarmjit Singh – 55′), Iain Hume (Juan Belencoso – 78′), Sameehg Doutie.

FC Goa XI: Subhasish Roy Chowdhury (GK), Sanjay Balmuchu, Grégory Arnolin (c), Raju Gaikwad, Keenan Almeida (Romeo Fernandes – 57′), Rafael Dumas, Richarlyson, Joffre, Matheus Trindade, Robin Singh (Mandar Rao Dessai – 63′), Rafael Coelho (Julio Cesar – 84′).

PUNE: FC Pune City assistant coach Miguel insists his team prepared adequately for life without chief coach Antonio Habas who remains suspended for the first four matches. But since the Indian Super League kicked off, FC Pune City have found themselves in a spot of bother.

FC Pune City have three points from three matches and will have to take their game to a different level to arrest the consecutive losses at home as they host Kerala Blasters at Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium, Balewadi-Pune, on Monday.

Pune were bristling with confidence after scoring a 90th minute winner against FC Goa in Goa but at home they have been unable to secure a single point, losing to Mumbai City FC in the Maharashtra Derby and then going down against NorthEast United FC in the last game.

“We need to improve in all areas. I can’t say one area we need to improve in, we need to improve in many areas. But it is our job. We will work hard and we will improve,” said the assistant coach.

FC Pune City will miss the services of Eduardo Fereira for the clash against Kerala Blasters after the defender was sent off against NorthEast United FC. The defensive duties were then assigned to marquee Mohamed Sissoko and the former Liverpool midfielder did an appreciable job.

“Sissoko’s performances have been good. He played well in both positions, in central midfield and centre back,” said Miguel.

Chief coach Habas will have to sit out for one final game to serve his four-match suspension but it could be difficult for him to watch his team again from the stands in Pune as Kerala Blasters will be high on confidence after securing their first win in the league and that too against high-flying Mumbai City FC.

Kerala Blasters were struggling with form ahead of their fourth-round clash against Mumbai but a second-half goal from Michael Chopra has changed the mood dramatically.

“I don’t believe in setting up targets. Game by game I try to plan and win the game. The goal that Atletico de Kolkata scored against us was a deflected shot. It seemed a little cruel to us. But the points would obviously make a difference. That’s how it is. Every game is going to come thick and fast now, so we have to collect as many points as possible. Once we come into rhythm we will keep winning,” said Kerala Blasters manager Steve Coppell.

Kerala Blasters have kept two clean sheets in a row and will be hugely encouraged by the central defensive partnership of marquee Aaron Hughes and Cedric Hengbart, both of whom look in fine form.

DELHI: Delhi Dynamos maintained their unbeaten record in the Indian Super League after settling for an entertaining 1-1 draw against NorthEast United FC at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi, on Saturday.

Delhi Dynamos were lucky to surge ahead after Kean Lewis capitalised on a goalkeeping error from Subrata Paul in the 38th minute but the visitors earned a point through Emiliano Alfaro in the 51st minute.

The draw left NorthEast United FC at the top of the table with 10 points from five matches while Delhi Dynamos have five points from three matches, the same as Atletico de Kolkata.

In a hugely-entertaining clash at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and watched by an impressive crowd, both teams had chances to get the upper-hand early in the game but sadly they were found wanting in front of the goal. The strikers of both the teams saw plenty of chances to move ahead, only to be spurned.

Former Real Madrid midfielder Marcos Tebar was the first to go close in the 18th minute for Delhi Dynamos as his free header from Marcelinho’s corner-kick was misdirected from close distance.

A minute later, NorthEast United goalkeeper Paul was called into action twice to keep away tries from Milan Singh and Kean Lewis. Marcelinho then had a chance to finish off the move but only ended up aiming at the sky.

NorthEast United had their chances as well, largely from defensive mistakes. First Ruben Gonzalez gave away the ball to Nicolas Velez and the Argentinean squared it for Alfaro whose shot from handshaking distance was embarrassingly wide. Katsumi Yusa and Velez too went close for the visitors.

Delhi Dynamos got the breakthrough in the 38th minute. Marcelinho’s corner saw goalkeeper Paul completely miss the flight of the ball and the ball fell nicely for Lewis, who controlled it well and directed it into the goal.

NorthEast United fought their way back into the match six minutes after the second half kicked off. Typically, it came from a defensive mistake by Delhi Dynamos after Ruben gave the ball away to Velez. The Argentinean striker, who troubled his markers with pace and swift movements, then picked up Alfaro whose shot was blocked by Delhi defender Chinglensana Singh. However, the rebound fell for Alfaro again and this time he made no mistake to put his team on level terms.

Either team could have walked away with full points had their strikers remained sharp. Immediately after drawing level, Holicharan Narzary shot wide with only the goalkeeper at his mercy and then Gadze had a chance at the other end but Paul came to his side’s rescue by saving the attempt with his knee.

Delhi Dynamos XI: Antonio Doblas (GK – C), Rubén González Rocha, Chinglesana Konsham Singh, Souvik Chakraborty, Lalchhawnkima, Milan Singh, Marcos Tébar (Florent Malouda –  66′), Emerson Gomes de Moura, Kean Lewis, Marcelo Leite Pereira, Richard Gadze (Badara Badji – 90+2′)

NorthEast United FC XI: Subrata Paul (GK), Gustavo Lazzaretti, Shouvik Ghosh, Reagan Singh, Didier Zokora (C), Koffi Christian N’dri (Wellington Priori – 77′), Rowlin Borges, Holicharan Narzary (Fanai Lalrempuia – 86′), Katsumi Yusa, Nicolas Velez (Robert Cullen – 82′), Emiliano Alfaro.

Photo Credits ISL

KOLKATA:Atletico de Kolkata are unlikely to let go of the chance to compound the woes of their fierce rivals as they take on FC Goa in a fourth round encounter of the Hero Indian Super League at Rabindra Sarobar Stadium, Kolkata, on Sunday.

Atletico de Kolkata are chugging along nicely in the Hero ISL with five points in their first three matches but their rivals from Goa are at the bottom of the table, unable to win in three attempts. Goa’s start to the league is the worst in three years and Atletico de Kolkata, who enjoy an unbeaten record against FC Goa in six matches, know they can now add to their points tally.

“I am sure it will be a tough match,” Atletico de Kolkata chief coach Jose Molina warned during the pre-match media briefing.

“FC Goa have not won as yet and they will fight to register a win. It’s not a problem for us. We are playing at home and we have to try to win. All of us, which includes me and the players, will give our best to win,” said the Spanish coach.

Atletico de Kolkata shared the spoils with Chennaiyin FC in the opening match, then pocketed all points from Kerala Blasters and drew against Mumbai City FC in their last match.

FC Goa, on the otherhand, have had the worst start to their campaign in the ISL, losing against NorthEast United FC, FC Pune City and defending champions Chennaiyin FC. Chief coach Zico, however, knows from experience in the ISL that all is still not lost for his team and the players.

“If we win two games we will be at par with ATK. So nothing is lost yet. In this tournament it does not matter if you finish first or fourth. What matters is making the play-offs. We are focussed on that. ATK are a nice side and we will do our best to neutralise their power,” said Zico.

The FC Goa line-up has not had a settled look and chief Zico will have to make quite a few big decisions. The choice of a goalkeeper will be uppermost on his mind as Laxmikant Kattimani has not been as impressive as last season in the first three matches and Subhasish Roy Choudhury is struggling with his fitness. Sukhadev Patil is the third goalkeeper, signed as part of Goa’s developmental player quota, and it remains to be seen if Zico is willing to consider him.

“All the matches that we have to play are tough games. We must have the strength to rectify the situation, especially against Atletico de Kolkata which is a strong team,” said Zico.

DELHI: Delhi Dynamos coach Gianluca Zambrotta has handed a “special invitation” to his team’s supporters to turn up in impressive numbers for their home match in the Hero Indian Super League against NorthEast United FC at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi, on Saturday.

Unbeaten so far, Delhi Dynamos are playing their first home match of the season but are expected to be outnumbered by the away fans in the stands like the first two seasons. NorthEast United enjoy great support in Delhi and Zambrotta feels it’s important to match their opponents.

“Of course, we need the Delhi supporters and I am handing them a special invitation to attend. We need their support. In Kerala we played the last match in front of 60,000 supporters and it was not intimidating.  For the players, it’s encouraging to play in front of a nice atmosphere,” said the Italian World Cup winner.

Delhi Dynamos have four points from their first two away matches and Zambrotta said it’s important to maintain balance as matches come thick and fast.

“We had some difficulties against Kerala because the match came immediately after the Chennai match. We will try to do our best against NorthEast United. It’s impossible to play at the same level all the time but the important thing is to have the players focused in attack and defence,” he said.

NorthEast United FC coach Nelo Vingada also said it’s important to focus on the recovery, especially after the last match where they played for almost an hour with just 10 men. NorthEast United had the numerical disadvantage when defender Nirmal Chhetri was sent off but despite the setback, the league leaders regained the momentum to score a narrow victory against FC Pune City, who also had a player sent off in the second half.

“We played for one hour with 10 men. A lot of energy was spent but I believe our team’s character and effort can make for a good performance,” said the Portuguese coach.

“Since the beginning, we are seeing that all teams are improving. It’s been an intense campaign for NorthEast and we have already played four games. But there are no excuses. We will play our best against a good team which is playing at home for the first time,” he said.

NorthEast United are on top of the league ladder with nine points from four matches. Delhi Dynamos are placed fourth with four points from two matches.

MUMBAI: Manchester United star Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is arguably the greatest footballer that Sweden has ever seen, is in the wish list of Indian Super League (ISL) franchise Delhi Dynamos and Head Coach Gianluca Zambrotta is confident that he can bring the Swedish enigma to India once he is done with the Red Devils in summer of 2017.

Zlatan who played for the likes of Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, FC Barcelona, AC Milan and Paris Saint Germain in the past, made headlines when he joined Machester United on a one-year contract in July. At Old Trafford he is having a quite successful stint so far scoring 5 goals in 10 appearances, so there is no reason for him to join the Indian Super League at this point in time, but his former AC Milan team-mate Zambrotta is utmost confident that he can convince the Swedish to join the franchise based league.

“Here in India Zlatan has a tremendous fan following and I think he would want to come and end his career here. On my end, I will definitely try to convince him to play for Dynamos.” said  Zambrotta.

Thanks to ISL, India has seen the likes of Robert Pires, Alessandro Del Piero, Freddie Ljungberg, Lucio, Florent Malouda, Roberto Carlos, Helder Postiga, Nicolas Anelka and Diego Forlan. But all them has came to India at the twilight of their career and as a result apart from a few glimpses of the performance from the past they have been lived in the shadow of their own.

However, if Delhi Dynamos can somehow manage to land Zlatan, who at the top of his game, then the entire thing will reach a whole new level. Though Zlatan did retire from International football at end of Euro 2016 but the 35-year old still has plenty to offer.

MUMBAI: Kerala Blasters FC and Mumbai City FC may have to do without their captains for their next round battle in the Indian Super League at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi, on Friday.

Mumbai City captain and marquee player Diego Forlan, who was influential in his team’s first two victories, sat out of the last clash against NorthEast United FC and has not made the trip to Kerala.

“Diego hasn’t travelled with the team. He is working hard on his recovery with our medical staff and we hope that we can have him back fully fit at the earliest,” said Mumbai City coach Alexandre Guimaraes.

Kerala Blasters have worries of their own. Cedric Hengbart, who captained the side in the last game but limped out midway through injury, has a battle on his hand to recover and declare himself fit for the crucial clash against Mumbai City.

“I don’t know to be honest,” Kerala Blasters coach Steve Coppell said when asked whether he can count on Hengbart’s services for Friday’s clash.

“We will wait till the last minute to check his fitness. After the injury (in the last game), I thought he wouldn’t be available but he is such a warrior that he is working hard, rehabilitating and trying to make himself available for this match,” said the Kerala Blasters coach.

Fortunately for the home side, marquee player Aaron Hughes, a sparkling presence in Northern Ireland’s progress to the second round of Euro 2016, has completed his international assignments and is expected to return to the line-up.

Kerala Blasters have just a point from their first three matches and is the only team in the league to have not scored as yet, despite backing from approximately 55,000 supporters for each home game. Coppell said his players are trying hard and a change in fortunes could be just around the corner.

“The players fully understand the responsibility of trying to entertain these fabulous fans and the players went flat out to try and give them the victory that they desire. I personally feel we are very close (to winning). As a team, we are capable of winning five or six matches on the bounce,” said Coppell.

Mumbai City FC have made an encouraging start to their league campaign this season. Yet unbeaten, Mumbai City have seven points from their first three matches and even though coach Guimaraes said he was targeting “nine points” from the first three matches, he has plenty to be happy about.

“I would have liked to have nine points and I think we played with the intention of getting maximum points. But that’s how the game is. More than the points, what needs to be focused on is the performance. Our efforts from our pre-season training are now showing results and I am very happy,” said the Costa Rican coach.

Mumbai City FC played all three matches at comparatively smaller stadiums in Pune and Mumbai and now have to prepare themselves for a massive fan onslaught in Kerala where 55,000 supporters throw their collective might behind Kerala Blasters. The Costa Rican coach is aware of the challenge.

“It’s the first time we’ll be playing in these kind of circumstances but my players have shown confidence and I am hoping we put up an equally good, if not better performance tomorrow against Kerala Blasters,” he said.