Delhi Dynamos FC will resume their Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2018-19 campaign with a home tie against fellow-strugglers Kerala Blasters FC on Thursday. The club from the capital currently sits in the ninth position of the table after a disappointing first half of the season which saw them win just one match in 12 attempts. However, the victory did come along in their last outing before the winter break against Chennaiyin FC and the Lions will look to use that as an inspiration in the second half of the season.

Delhi boss Josep Gombau attended the pre-match press conference a day prior to the match and stressed the importance of starting the year on a winning note. "I think it is very important to start in a good way. We ended the last year by winning in Chennai. For us, tomorrow is an important game to start 2019 in a good way. We have worked hard in the last few weeks to prepare for the game. We are excited to start the competition again," he said.

Gombau followed up with his assessment of the opponents who, he felt, would be eager to make a point themselves in the second-half the campaign. "I think Kerala are a good team. They had a good game a few days ago against ATK. I think it will be a good game. They have a new coach which always brings in new ideas. They will be eager to prove themselves and show to the coach that they are ready. I think it will be an interesting game," said the Spaniard.

Pritam Kotal moved away from Delhi to sign for two-time Hero ISL champions ATK in the ongoing winter transfer window. Asked about the loss of the experienced defender, Gombau said, "Pritam was an important player for us. He was our captain and was also a regular in the first 11. But he is with ATK now and for us now, it is important to concentrate on the players in the squad. For sure the player who replaces him will do well."

Gombau brought about an end to his pre-match duties by outlining the objectives his team will look to achieve in the remaining six matches. "Our aim is to go game by game and also develop players. We are developing them well. We have a lot of young players in the squad. The last game we played against Chennaiyin FC, our front three were players who are U-23. After that, the Super Cup will be a trophy that we will want to take seriously. We want to work hard every single game and be competitive and see what happens," he declared.

Read the match preview here.