I did not like the Salt Lake stadium surface: Carlos

BRAZILIAN WORLD CUP winner and Delhi Dynamos coach cum player Roberto Carlos on Thursday said he did not like the surface of the Salt Lake stadium where his team edged past hosts Atletico de Kolkata 1-0 with 10-men.

The new grass which was laid just before the Indian Super League (ISL) seemed to come off in patches as the players went in for tackles or tried shooting.

Due to the problems relating to the new surface, ATK had to practice in Mohun Bagan ground earlier this season and now have shifted base to the Salt Lake municipality ground.

"I did not like the surface. The grass was loose. Therefore both teams lost pace. A little bit water could have made things better," Carlos said at the post match media conference.

His tactics paid off late in injury time as substitute Brazilian midfielder Gustavo Dos Santos netted the winner. Carlos said it was a tactical move to introduce him in the second half.

"Usually in the second half teams are slowing down. He (Dos Santos) has got quick feet and so he speeds up the second half," he said.

The 42-year-old Carlos received a warm welcome from the Salt Lake stadium crowd as he came on as a substitute in the 64th minute of the tie.

"I want to thank the ATK fans for the support and the love. It is hard to get the rhythm back when you have not been playing but then for me it is an honour to participate with the other players," he said.

Asked if Delhi was lucky to have avoided a second red card for Anderson Chicao's challenge on ATK medio Sameegh Doutie, Carlos said: "Sometimes you need luck to win. It does not matter how you win, important thing is just to clinch a game."