ISL: Delhi Dynamos - 5 takeaways from the 2014 season

Delhi Dynamos’ marquee signing Alessandro Del Piero didn’t have a great first season in the ISLThe highly competitive Indian Super League has moved into the semi-finals with four teams. Sadly, the Delhi Dynamos, who couldn't make it to the top four, now have time to think about their early exit.Harm Van Veldhoven came in with an attacking intent but collective failures to keep the momentum going let the team down. The side with the league’s brand ambassador in Alessandro Del Piero couldn’t get their act together in time and the opportunity was grabbed by other sides around them in the table.We analyze Delhi Dynamos FC’s season in the inaugural campaign of the highly popular Indian Super League.

#1 Players who impressed

Gustavo dos Santos of Delhi Dynamos FC celebrates his goal against Chennaiyin FC with Kristof Van Hout (L)

In a season with games in quick succession, Harm Van Veldhoven rotated his side on a regular basis. Del Piero’s gameplay required more proficient runners in and around the box. His presence in the team didn’t produce the kind of results envisioned by the proponents of this North Indian outfit, which meant that someone else had to step up to be the playmaker.

This opportunity was grabbed by a 20-year-old Brazillian – Gustavo dos Santos. His ability and composure on the ball worked perfectly for Harm’s side to create clear-cut chances, even against compact defences. With a return of 5 goals and 2 assists from 13 appearances, Dos Santos showed the tenacity to make something out of nothing in the attacking third.

Del Piero was rested for a few games after Harm realized the Italian’s lack of chemistry with his teammates and Hans Mulder became the new skipper. The former Real Zaragoza midfielder was rock solid in midfield and scored a string of important goals in the last few games of the campaign. His never-say-die attitude was a much-needed boost for the Delhi Dynamos.

Anwar Ali

Mid season injuries to Wim Raymaekers called for leadership in defence and Anwar Ali stood up with a string of disciplined performances and constantly covered well for Wim’s replacement – Stijn Houben. He complemented the excellency of Kristof Van Hout ’s goalkeeping in a high scoring league where it wasn’t easy to keep a clean sheet. The Belgian custodian was forced to make a lot of one-on-one blocks and he mostly came out on top.

#2 Players who disappointed

Alessandro Del Piero scored only one goal in the entire season

The most obvious name for this one has to be Alessandro Del Piero. A sum of $1 million was spent on the former World Cup winner for him to ply his trade in India.

But questionable fitness and a lack of team chemistry accompanied with high expectations spoilt the party for Delhi Dynamos. With just one goal and zero assists, his first season in India has been nothing short of a disappointment.

Midfielder Shylo Malswamtluanga started the season with some momentum and hit the post on a couple of occasions and always looked likely to create chances with his pace and ability on the ball. This momentum was gradually broken down by the loss of confidence and he ended the whole campaign without scoring. A lack of cohesion up front cost Delhi their place in the semi-finals and the two Danish strikers will go back disappointed, especially Morten Skuobo, who also couldn’t break his scoring duck and had more cards than goals or assists.

#3 Best and worst matches

Delhi Dynamos’ Mads Junker celebrates his second goal against Chennaiyin FC

Harm Van Veldhoven’s side were in topsy-turvy form for the most part of the season and faced a lot of disappointments by losing games where they created enough chances to win.

Best match: Delhi Dynamos 4-1 Chennaiyin FC

On the other hand, their high point came against Marco Materazzi’s Chennaiyin FC at home early on in their campaign. On this occasion, it was the visiting team who had to be on the receiving end of a 4-1 hammering. Everything went well for the home side on that day and everyone connected really well on the pitch. An edge of the box shot by Wim Raymaekers opened the scoring while goals by Junker, Arrias and a scintillating solo effort by Dos Santos sealed it for the Delhi Dynamos.

Worst match: Delhi Dynamos 1-4 FC Goa

Their lowest moment in the league came at home against a then struggling FC Goa who were struggling at the bottom of the table. A humiliating 4-1 loss at home maligned the side from the capital. As expressed in the post match reaction to that game by Harm Van Veldhoven, the Delhi Dynamos’ reacted poorly after going a goal down and an apparent lack of intent to get more of the ball by the attackers was an embarrassment, to say the least.

#4 Areas of improvement

Delhi Dynamos coach Harm Van Veldhoven with Dos Santos

The gaffer tried to tweak his side on multiple occasions and it worked out well, albeit a string of missed chances leading to the team dropping points. The biggest cause for concern was the apparent lack of link up play up front. Different players with different skill sets will obviously have some problems in that department and this is one the things which the coach will look to improve upon in the future.

Delhi will also be looking to add more backup players in defence and their needs also require them to replace Del Piero with someone who is quick and can adjust to the current level of Indian Super League.

Harm Van Veldhoven’s passing style of play was well appreciated by all, but most of the Indian players are still not proficient at this. This has also been a major reason for the lack of goals from the local players.

#5 Season Rating

Delhi coach Harm Van Veldhoven with marquee player Alessandro Del Piero

With a well balanced and an attacking squad on paper with the most high-profile marquee player captaining the side, Delhi Dynamos should have definitely set higher standards for themselves than a fifth place finish at the beginning of the season. Even though there were strong and commendable attempts thanks to the persistence of Mulder and the proficiency of Kristof Van Hout in goal, the North Indian outfit fell well short in the end.

Delhi started with a couple of back-to-back draws against Pune City at home and Atletico de Kolkata away and a notable number of missed chances haunted Harm’s side in these two games. There were hopes and signs that the attackers were getting their act together, but the momentum was never sustained for them to make it to the top four. There were some close attempts by Del Piero as well, but he faded away as the season progressed and his first goal came only in the last game of the season.

Harm Van Veldhoven expressed his appreciation of the players, especially for the latter part of the season where Dos Santos was on a roll. Delhi can look back at some decent performances including the crucial 1-0 away win against Pune City where their dogged persistence paid off in the 88th minute.

Even though they might have missed the big jackpot of finishing in the top 4, they got close enough and were literally inches away from scoring the winner against Chennaiyin FC to seal their place. A combination of missed chances and bits of misfortune cost them dearly in the end.

Final rating: 3/5