Delhi Dynamos FC continued their goal-scoring touch from Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2016, where they became the club with maximum goals (29), into the 2017-18 season by opening their campaign with a 3-2 away win against FC Pune City at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium in Pune. Putting their names on the scoresheet for the Lions were Paulinho Dias, Lallianzuala Chhangte and Matias Mirabaje.

In the post-match press conference, Delhi’s head coach, Miguel Angel Portugal was all smiles and impressed by how his team fared. He told the reporters, “My team played well. (It’s the) first time the players played with our philosophy. We made many opportunities for goals and it was possible to score more (than three) goals in 90 minutes.”

After a nondescript first half, Delhi burst to life as soon as the second half whistle blew by scoring three goals in a matter of 20 minutes to take the match away from Pune. On being asked what made the difference, Portugal shared, “Pune is a big team and a good side. They tried to play well. I think my players pressed the Pune players well in the second half. They made it difficult to pass from midfield to the strikers.”

Portugal also heaped praise on the young Chhangte who was an absolute revelation on the field. “He (Chhangte) played well to score the goal. I like the football he plays. He not only plays football for enjoyment; he plays football for rotation of the ball, passes the ball to the wing and overlaps across the goal. The young players are fresh in my team. I think they are good players,” he added.

With five goals being scored in a single half, Portugal seemed upbeat about the season ahead and believes the fans will have a good time as the season progresses. “This league is a lot of fun. It’s not only about winning, it’s a lot of fun for the crowd and for the players. I think from the goalkeeping coach’s point of view it is not good but we also like to enjoy the show. We always prefer not to concede goals but in the end, if we win, that’s the most important (thing),” he concluded.