ISL 2017: Delhi Dynamos foreign preseason roundup
After 41 days of their pre-season tour in Spain and Qatar, the capital outfit Delhi Dynamos have started their final round of preparation with an emphatic 5-1 win over Delhi United FC.
The Miguel Angel Portugal-coached side started their preseason in Spain on September 10th and played few friendly matches against second division Spanish sides before heading to Qatar where they experienced three matches against Qatari sides.
Their tour was not that fruitful for the Lions in terms of results as they suffered three defeats out of five and failed to register a single win in Spain.
Delhi Dynamos started their Spanish Campaign with a disappointing 5-2 casualty against Spanish Segunda division B side Atletico Astorga, at the Estadio La Eragudina. Dutch forward Guyon Fernandez and Indian Midfielder Seityasen Singh scored the goals for Delhi Dynamos.
The Lions could not change their fortune in Spain as they suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat against Segunda Division side Real Oviedo at the Estadio Carlos Tartiere in their second outing. Though five foreigners were there in the starting XI for the Lions, the Spanish outfit managed a single goal lead in the first half itself. However, gaffer Miguel Angel Portugal made 8 changes in the second half but it was not enough to break the strong, well composite Real Oviedo defence.
Delhi Dynamos then traveled to Qatar to train at Aspire Academy facilities in Doha.The second round preparation started well for the Dynamos as they registered a narrow 1-0 win over Qatar Stars League side Muaither S.C at the Aspire Academy. The youngest ever goal scorer for team India, Lalinzuala Changte, gave the Lions their first win in their preseason tour with a goal. Interestingly, this time coach Miguel Portugal handed a start to only three foreigners and it was enough to get better of Qatari outfits.
However, their winning streak lasted only a single match as they go down 3-1 to Qatar Stars League side Al-Wakrah SC in their second match in Qatar. Manipuri winger David Ngaihte found the only goal for Delhi Dynamos. The Delhi-based outfit could not match up with the aggressive Qatari side in the second half as all three of their goals came in the second half only.
Delhi Dynamos ended their Qatar tour on a winning note as they defeated Armi team 2-1 with goals from Nigerian Kalu Uche and Venezuelan Gabriel Cichero.Though preseason mainly aimed at gaining match fitness and testing strategies, the Lions could not manage a perfect preparation abroad as they managed only two wins in five matches with -2 goal difference.
However, their final round preparation in India got a perfect start with a thumping 5-1 triumph over Delhi United FC. One goal each from Guyon, Kalu Uche, Pritam Kotal, Nanda Kumar and Vinit Rai thrashed the fellow Delhi side.
Delhi Dynamos to play Real Kashmir on 4th of November, followed by the Indian Air Force on 10th and I-League outfit Minerva Punjab FC on November 15th.
They start their ISL campaign on 22nd November against FC Pune City in an away match at Balewadi Stadium, Pune