This Thursday, Delhi Dynamos host Chennaiyin FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. And it would be a significant moment for marquee player-cum-coach Roberto Carlos who would be facing the home crowd for the first time in the Hero Indian Super League 2015 (ISL).Carlos enjoyed some game time against FC Goa in their first match of the season, appearing in the second half. “I was training a lot but I haven’t been playing for a while. I wanted to play from the beginning, but it’s very hard for me [given his dual role]. I let the young players do their job. I’m planning to help them out always in the second half,” said the former Brazil international, commencing the pre-match press conference.When asked about having Gustavo dos Santos Marmentini start late in their first outing, he said “The trainer has to choose what’s best at that particular moment. As for dos Santos, he’ll always have an opportunity to play and show his quality. For tomorrow’s game, he’ll be ready and even better.”The questions turned to dos Santos, Delhi Dynamos’ golden boy from Season 2014, who scored five goals out of 13 appearances for the capital city club. “I think the teams have more ability, more quality,” said dos Santos when asked about the changes he spotted in the Hero ISL this year. “I think every day, we’re developing and growing. Also, developing the football here will make things easier for this season as well as the ones to come.”Asked about preferring the left flank or the right, the young Brazilian said, “It’s all up to Roberto [Carlos]. He would have to choose that, and I’ll be really happy to help out my colleagues. And I’m going to give my best.”Defender Anas Edathodika was one of the few players to sit the season opener out. On getting to work with John Arne Riise on the defence, the Indian said, “It’s magical for me. To be in a team with Champions League players! Riise comes in with so much of experience; training with him helps me learn a lot.”“Mistakes happen in a game,” mentioned Carlos, commenting on his team’s performance in the last match. “It was discussed in the meeting after the match. We lost because of our mistakes; Goa won because of their merit. When you have individual mistakes, you have to train harder to not repeat them. For a coach, it’s easier to point fingers at the players’ mistakes. But I’m not like that. The changes will be made at the right time. They [Delhi Dynamos] have a lot of talent. And I’m sure that this is a team that will develop.”Carlos called on the fans to throng the stadium in large numbers. “Last match [in Goa], we had about 25 Delhi Dynamos fans in the crowd. The stadium here [Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi] is much bigger. We need your support. I would like to invite you to fill the stands as much as you can, and support your home team. I’m sure it’s going to be a very good game.”
