Kerala Blasters 0-1 Delhi Dynamos: Five talking points

Dynamos notched their second away win of the seasonThe Indian Super League (ISL) fixture between Kerala Blasters and Delhi Dynamos ended with a win for the away side as Richard Gadze’s solitary goal in the 87th minute, consigned the home side to their second consecutive defeat.It was one of those rare occasions when the 60,000 odd supporters inside the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi went home with little to rejoice about, as after a string of missed opportunities it was the Ghanian substitute who turned out to be the match winner, inflicting misery on Peter Taylor’s side. The win takes the side from the capital into second place, behind FC Pune City on goal difference. Taylor’s side though stayed sixth, two points behind arch rivals Chennaiyin FC.The fixture saw the debut of Kerala Blasters’s marquee signing Carlos Marchena, who was deployed as a central defensive midfielder, as he looked to provide more solidity to a struggling Blasters defense. But his return was cut short as he limped off the field in the 50th minute raising more doubts about his fitness levels. All images in this slideshow were sourced from the ISL.

#1 Away form key for Delhi Dynamos

Carlos already matching Veldhoven’s feat

There were a lot of questions raised following the appointment of Roberto Carlos as the head coach of Delhi Dynamos considering his lack of experience, but it seems the Brazilian has done well to quash any doubts the supporters might have had.

In his four games incharge, the 42-year old has bagged three wins, two of which came away from home. Last season the side from the capital missed out on the knockout stages by a solitary point and much of it was due to their poor away form. Harm Van Veldhoven the man in charge last season bagged only a mere two wins away from home. A feat already matched by Carlos in his first three away games.

The Brazilian has not shied away from showing his tactical nous against experienced counterparts, and it has been his timely substitutes that have done the trick. Richard Gadze’s introduction against FC Pune City saw him bag the all-important second goal, and it was a similar change in this game as well that sealed three vital points.

The coach’s decision to stick with a more settled lineup week in-week out, has provided more stability and created an understanding between the players, that in a tournament of just two months, plays a vital role.

With roles of each player clearly identified, the squad looks more balanced than last season and the experienced marquee players have certainly provided a telling touch.

#2 Super sub Gadze does the trick again

Gadze sealed the win for the away side

Richard Gadze was once again the hero for Delhi Dynamos as his last gasp goal provided another key win for Delhi Dynamos in this season’s competition. The second half substitute provided pace and guile as his introduction changed the nature of Robero Carlos’s side.

Gadze who scored the all important second goal in the previous game against FC Pune City, was once again on target as he pounced on Florent Malouda’s cross late on in the game.

The away side looked to be struggling with Robin Singh upfront as Sandesh Jhingan and co. did well to mark the Bengaluru FC forward but a more calm and composed Gadze proved to be difficult to handle for the home side’s defense and their tired legs.

Gadze’s second goal of the season, further strengthens his case as a regular starter in the side, after he was dropped from the playing eleven for the last two games in favour of Robin.

The Ghanian has justified his role as an impact substitute in the previous two games and his improved performances certainly gives Carlos a headache for squad selection, albeit a positive one.

#3 Sandesh Jhingan impresses on return

The defender looking to provide solidity at the back

The road ahead for Kerala Blasters is not at all bleak despite crumbilng to their second consecutive defeat, as they can be pleased with the form shown by their back four in the game. The return of last season’s stand out defender Sandesh Jhingan definitely provides a much needed positive for the side from the South as they look to reclaim their lost form.

Jhingan who returned from international duty with the Indian national team, did well to stop the Dynamos attacks that came in waves. Awarded the man of the match for his performance, the 22-year old was instrumental in stopping the creative duo of Florent Malouda and Gustavo Dos Santos.

Though the side switched off towards the end, which ultimately cost them the game, his return is a major boost for Peter Taylor, who is already sweating over Carlos Marchena’s fitness.

The Sporting Goa defender made a couple of key saves and interceptions in the first half, that helped keep the scoreline on level terms for much of the game.

While the defeat definitely comes as a major blow to the side who now find themselves in the sixth place, the return of the versatile defender is definitely a major morale booster.

#4 Dynamos defence weak against pace

Dynamos defence struggled late on in the game

Just after Delhi Dynamos took the lead, there was a glorious opportunity for the home side to grab the equaliser. It was only down to Antonio Doblas’ sensational save that Kerala were denied a vital point.

While Doblas grabbed all eyeballs then, it saved the Dynamos defense from coming into the spotlight for their sub-standard defending. While the side did well in the first half to stop the Kerala attack, the introduction of Sanchez Watt in the second half swung the balance in favour of Kerala’s strikeforce. The 35-year old was often left looking foolish by the former Arsenal striker’s pace and movement, and his combination play with the Kerala attackers was only kept at bay by the Delhi custodian.

The Delhi defence that kept their second clean sheet in four games this season, showed their first real signs of weakness and it will be interesting to see how the other sides deal with Carlos’ backline.

With Francis Fernandes and Hans Mulder both struggling to cement their status in the game for the majority of the portion, the Kerala midfield often found it easy to run the Delhi backline ragged. Watt’s introduction as a substitute once again changed the landscape of the game and although the scoreline did favour Kerala, the forward definitely makes a strong case for a more regular run in the side.

#5 Marchena\'s fitness a big concern

There was an air of optimism surrounding the stadium as Kerala Blasters’s 60,000 odd supporters were treated to Carlos Marchena’s football for the first time this season. The former Villareal star missed the initial few games due to an injury and his return was indeed a morale booster for the side, who were struggling to regain form.

While the Spaniard started the game rather well as a midfielder, it was in the second half that Peter Taylor had to cut short his time on the pitch. The 36-year old limped off the field, much to the dismay of the home crowd.

The recurring injury though raises further questions on the fitness levels of the former Valencia defender and how much he can contribute to the side on a whole. Taylor though mentioned in his post-match press conference that Marchena was unfit from the start and it was a baffling decision to risk his marquee player so early in the tournament, while the coach was aware of that fact.

Marchena who was injured initially in a training session before the season began, flew back to Spain to recover, but it seems the decision to start him so early on the pitch backfired for the English coach.