Delhi: Hosts Delhi Dynamos might have missed out on an opportunity to claim the top spot after squandering a 1-0 lead to draw 1-1 against NorthEast United FC, but their marquee player-manager Roberto Carlos said he was satisfied with the result. And there's a reason behind the Brazilian icon's satisfaction.
The hosts were the second best team throughout the match and will consider themselves lucky to steal a point against an impressive NorthEast team.
Delhi took the lead through striker Richard Gadze with a 37th-minute goal against the run of play. However, the visitors found their man in Simao, who restored parity with a spectacular free-kick in the 72nd minute to spoil Carlos' first start of the tournament.
The result meant Delhi go level with front-runners FC Pune City with 13 points from seven matches but remained just behind them due to an inferior goal difference. NorthEast, who grabbed their first away point of this season, too didn't gain much either, improving to seven points from as many matches but staying in the seventh position of the eight-team tournament.
Speaking to the media after the match, Carlos said: "Draw was a good result. I am satisfied with a draw. NorthEast United played well. We are currently top [joint] of the league and that's all that matters.”
“When we are not first, we always look up. Whenever my team is on the field, they are always looking to win.”
It was the first start for 42-year-old Carlos, who looked visibly out of sorts and substituted himself with Serginho Greene in the 69th minute.
When asked how he feels to start the game, Carlos said: Felt good to play after so long. If I play more often I can be a lot better. If I wasn't a manager and only a player, my psychology would have been different. But when I am on the field, I can lead the team better.
While Delhi's success rate has been impressive, the only concern for them is their low average when it comes to scoring goals. They have managed to score just six times so far in seven outings. However, Carlos said it wasn't a cause of worry for him as long as the team is on top.
"Not worried about less goals as long as we are top. Last year it was a problem. My team is doing well. We still have three home games. We want to have more points obviously," he said.
Meanwhile, NorthEast United FC coach Cesar Farias said it was an important away point for his team.
“It’s a very important point for us. Over time you get points away, it’s good, especially since it was a tough game. In the north-east, it is in tough conditions. We have to live with that every day. Our players are also young, local boys. And usually there is a phase in the tournament where the team skyrockets, as long as you work for that and there is a sequence in the game. We have performed better in the past but also lost those games, so it’s good that we have got a good point,” the Venezuelan told the media.
“And of course, after you lose a game like that [5-1 vs Mumbai City FC], it’s difficult to see positives. There were two penalties in the game...But the whole time we were taking the initiative, just like today. The goal scored and chances created today were just counter-attacks, not when they had the ball and created opportunities," he added.
When asked if he was disappointed to see his team not being able to convert the chances into goals, Farias said it was painful to lose two points.
"Analysis depends on how you see it. For us, it is a tremendous point. It is one which gives us the edge, provides opportunity to skyrocket. And one of the most important things is that it is difficult to forget the wins or losses and move on to the next one. It is painful we lost two points, especially when you played better than the other team. But in soccer, you have to put up with that,” he said.
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