Coppell says the fans deserve to see goals; Zambrotta: Our team played to their potential

ONE DRAW AFTER TWO LOSSES means Kerala has just a point to give their massive crowd support who have backed their team well. Delhi on the other hand, can be content they got a point to take away from home.

Coppell knows that just a point in 3 games won't appease any set of fans, speaking to the press post the game said the effort by the team has increased many folds and said further

“I thought we kept the ball a lot better and we tried to be progressive from the back. They are a solid team who play with a sitting midfield. So it's hard to get at them. But I thought we didn't really over-commit ourselves, we played our game plan and we just needed the break. Obviously Michael [Chopra] had a couple of opportunities and we had some crossing situations but all in all I was pleased with the discipline and performance, the effort and the commitment. I just hope we get a goal to make these wonderful supporters happy so that they can go home happy. Once again the support was just magnificent, just special and all the players appreciate it”

Zambrotta on his team's performance on the night said,

“We played very strong throughout the 90 minutes in midfield, our players kept running throughout the game. Considering the match and the atmosphere I feel my team did their best.The philosophy is taking one match at a time… We hope to do better in the next game.”

Responsibility of scoring is not just the striker's, the overall team effort and the situation created by the team makes the goals happen, was Coppell's statement on Antonio German's goalless form. He continued on the subject saying,
 

"I don't think it matters really. You know we have positions but it doesn't mean one person is going to stay in one position…I don't think it's an issue of trying to find a situation for somebody. I think it is a team that understands the shape and looks to drop people in and it doesn't matter where they are."

On his decision to pick Badji in place of Gadze, Zambrotta replied

"I chose a different striker because the chosen striker was a bit taller and stronger.
“Every game you have to keep changing your plans, today we didn’t score but we played well and the score was 0-0.”

Winning games is the need for the hour for Kerala. They are far from it. Having 1 point from three games is one stat for the Blasters. They have the number "1" in another stat which is where the real worry lies. It's the single shot they have had on target. Answering this utter disappointing number Coppell said,

“All we can do is work hard. We work in training, we do a lot of finishing. Sometimes if you come to our training facility and watch us crossing, finishing you think 'oh, fabulous it's going to come'. I am not going to turn a blind eye to it but I believe it is going to come. I always say that in life and not just football you get out what you put in but it does not come in equal instalments. You keep pushing and pushing and trying to improve. These players are really genuine trying to improve and again in training they work ever so hard and I just feel that they will get their reward very shortly. Today we open the account and I hope next game we can really push on,”

Malouda the marquee for Delhi started the game and had a excellent game, winning a lot a tackles and supplying some defence splitting balls. On his marquee's show in the last game Head Coach Zambrotta said,

"Malouda played in midfield like a captain should and he played his role very well. Malouda himself is very happy about the match"

On the fitness news of Anas Edathodika who got injured Dynaomo's first match Zambrotta said.

“At the moment we don’t know the correct status. We'll be leaving for Delhi tomorrow and we would know once our doctor reports the results. We'll have to wait for a few days for confirmation.”

Coppell on Cedric Hengbart's substitution, which came moments after he received a yellow, clarified that the move was more forced than tactical said

“No, no he had an injury. He is a warrior, a brave footballer. He got an injury after 18 minutes I think and he stayed on until the second half. Obviously it's his warrior mentality to stay there and work hard for the team. I think as a captain he has certain responsibilities but I think as the game went on he was getting hampered by the injury and of course when he got booked we thought we should replace him”

Dynamos wingman Kean Lewis, on the home crowd and his team's show commented,

“I think the crowd was great, it's great to see such support for football, it is tough to play under such conditions, we were also playing our second game in four days and our players were tired. We're happy with the game and the overall performance of the team”