Delhi Dynamos FC head coach Harm van Veldhoven said his team paid the price for not putting away their chances in their 1-0 loss to Mumbai City FC today. In a closely fought game at the D Y Patil Sports Stadium in Navi Mumbai, the Dynamos displayed their usual composed build-up play, but were unable to apply the finishing touch to their attacking moves.Speaking at the post-match press conference, the Dutch gaffer said, “I really think we were the better football team today, especially in the first half.” Van Veldhoven went on to add, “The big chances were not always there, but we had control of the game.”Van Veldhoven felt that the result was harsh on his side, saying that a draw would have been a fair reflection of the game. “I think we deserved the draw,” he mused, not least because of the efforts his team put in throughout the course of the 90 minutes. “I am very satisfied about the working side of my team. Everybody worked very hard, and tried to play the best football all the time.”He pointed out the failure to score is severely hampering his team, recalling similar occasions where Delhi played well but did not pick up the required points. However, he was quick to credit Mumbai City, especially for their goal. “(Nicolas) Anelka made a beautiful goal,” he said in praise of the Mumbai striker. Van Veldhove also admired the counter-attacking play which led to the goal. “It was on the counter, and you can say that they defended better and waited for the right moment.”The Mumbai goal spurred Delhi on in search of an equaliser, with marquee player Alessandro del Piero being brought on to bring more creativity in the final third of the pitch. “We tried everything to force the equaliser. I think Alessandro had the best chance to make it 1-1,” rued Van Veldhoven.Most of the post-match questions centred on Van Veldhoven’s decision to use del Piero as a substitute rather than play him from the start. He was quick to brush off suggestions that there were fitness or injury concerns for the Italian playmaker, asserting that the decision was purely tactical. “There is always pressure (to play your star player), but, as a coach, you have to see what you think is best and to give every player the minutes he deserves. I would like to play 26 players, but I can only start with 11.”Van Veldhoven also emphasised the importance of getting the first goal of the match, saying that this allows his team to play with more freedom: “Sometimes, when you score the first, then you open the game for yourselves and you can score the second and the third.“In that game against Chennai, we scored in the first minute, and after 20 minutes, it was 2-0. In other games, we are struggling to score, so even though we think we are strong in the game, when we miss the first few chances it seems like the game is slipping through our fingers.”Nevertheless, Van Veldhoven took heart from his team’s performance, saying that they were sure to pick up more wins if they continue to play this way and add the finishing touch. “When we play like today, we will take our points. I don’t say that we can win every game, but we will get better.”
