Van Veldhoven and Del Piero are looking forward to the clash against Chennaiyin.Delhi Dynamos head coach Harm van Veldhoven was in a buoyant mood ahead of his side’s crunch clash against Chennaiyin. Delhi are coming off a morale-boosting 1-0 away win against qualification rivals Pune City, snatched with a dramatic late goal. At the pre-match press conference in Chennai, Van Veldhoven emphasised the advantage his side had wrested with their win over Pune – having control of their own fate in qualifying for the semifinals.“It is always better that you know that you need to win,” said the Delhi gaffer. “You prepare yourself. And most of the time, we go in with a clear mind-set: to go out and win.” Knowing that a win will guarantee a spot in the semifinals, Van Veldhoven was emphatic about the gameplan against Chennaiyin. “We know what we have to do. We are going to go all out for a win.”The Dutch-Belgian head coach allowed himself a moment of reflection on his team’s recent run of form, which has seen them effect a remarkable turnaround. “We were eighth some time back; now, a win can possibly take us to third.”Delhi Dynamos beat Chennaiyin 4-1 in Delhi earlier in the season, but Van Veldhoven sounded a note of caution when reminded of that result. “The reverse fixture may not have a bearing at all,” asserted the 52-year-old. “They are two different games. But, what we have to do is take confidence from the previous game.”Van Veldhoven brushed aside a question about his preferred semifinals opponent. “The most important thing is to be in the semifinals and qualify. That’s at the top of our mind.”The head coach hailed the impact of marquee player Alessandro del Piero, who was also at the pre-match press conference. “He is a core part of the team and his impact is very profound, and he plays a very important role in the team meetings,” quipped Van Veldhoven. “He has been phenomenal. He gives it all in training.”Del Piero was nostalgic when asked about facing his former club rivals and Italy teammates Alessandro Nesta, Chennaiyin’s new signing, and Marco Materazzi. “I have played a lot of games against Marco and Nesta, and with them. Both of them are top, top players and their qualities are phenomenal. It would be fabulous to see them tomorrow.”The famed Italian acknowledged that his experience was no doubt valuable for the Delhi side, but was quick to praise his teammates. “More than being a mentor, I think that we have a good-knit unit. Let’s hope we do well and qualify for the semifinals”.Delhi defender Anwar Ali, who has featured in all of his side’s thirteen games, joined Van Veldhoven and Del Piero at the press conference, and was certain his team were fully prepared for their critical game against Chennaiyin. “We practiced a lot before the match. I think we are ready for the game.”
