Nelo Vingada’s Kerala Blasters FC will face Delhi Dynamos FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi in their next assignment in the Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2018-19. In his first match in charge of the club, Vingada saw his side grab a late equaliser to earn a point at home against ATK. However, the result didn’t really help the Blasters strengthen their case for an unlikely playoff place. Kerala are currently 8th in the table with 10 points from 13 matches.

At the pre-match press conference a day prior to the fixture, Vingada spoke about Kerala’s performance in their last match against ATK and the plans for the upcoming fixture. "To win is not the most important thing. We are not coming from a good result. The results are not according to the level of the team I believe. My first game was just two days after my arrival in Kochi," he said.

"What I could see after the game against ATK was that we missed a lot of chances. We played to win. I’m sure we have a team to play anywhere against any team. Tomorrow we will play against Delhi Dynamos. It will be a tough game for both teams, and I hope if my players keep improving like in the last match, we will fight to win the game because it's our obligation as professionals. Any game we are playing, to win is our first target. I respect and I know the other side has the same wish," he added.

The 65-year-old then commented on the Blasters’ transfer activity in the ongoing January transfer window, which saw them lose a couple of key personnel. "We lost two of our good players, Halicharan Narzary and CK Vineeth. Halicharan was my player in NorthEast United FC (back in 2016). He is a fantastic player. So, I believe it was a big loss for our team. I would have liked to have them here because they can score and create goals," he said.

With only one day to go before the transfer window slams shut, Vingada hinted that Kerala might dive back into the market one final time. "Maybe we’ll have a young boy soon because the window closes tomorrow. But I’m very realistic. Now the players I have here are the best. I don’t cry because of the players we don’t have. If nothing special happens with our players, injury or something, I will solve the situation with the players. We will find the right combination or connection between the players we have," he said.

Asked about his expectations going into the match, a defiant Vingada said, "We are here for the result. We want to win. In this stage of the championship, for us, it will be an important win because it means three points. So, tomorrow and next games, we play to win."

Read the match preview here.