Kervens Belfort took centre stage for Kerala Blasters as his goal helped the team edge past Delhi Dynamos 1-0 in the first leg of the Indian Super League play-offs on Sunday at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in Kochi. Kerala Blasters were expected to win this game given their amazing home record of five wins, one draw and one loss. They are the only team to manage five home wins this season.
Kerala Blasters coach Steve Coppell was more than happy to take a narrow victory leading up to the second leg on Wednesday. Cedric Hengbart was an important player for them as he put in a solid performance as always. He was also crucial in setting up the winning goal for the Kerala Blasters as it was his run that initiated the break that led to Belfort goal.
"I am very pleased that we created opportunities and going forward it gives us optimism and Delhi are a good side and for us just to get our noses in front was important and another goal would have been great but we have got our noses in front and we are pleased to be going there, and it is a shame that the second leg isn't here but we have talked about that before" the Indian Super League official website quoted the Kerala boss as saying.
Delhi Dynamos were quite disappointing for most of the match. Florent Malouda, on whom Delhi relied on heavily this season, was not able to influence the game as he usually does as he was bossed around by Mehtab Hossain. Their top goal scorer Marcelinho also struggled a lot in the game as Kerala defender Kadio got the better of him for most of the match.
Delhi Dynamos boss Gianluca Zambrotta agreed that his team did not have the best of matches and that they would have to play much better and utilise their chances too if they are to book a place in the finals.
"I don't think there is a specific problem in our team. Of course, we displayed very good football during the tournament and in the last two-to-three games, we were not that good. So probably, we had a little bit of pressure on us. But I think today we had a good match and we have an opportunity in the second leg. To play at home is always an advantage and we are looking forward to the second leg. First, we have to play better there and then utilise our opportunities," said the Italian coach.
The second leg takes place on Wednesday and Delhi Dynamos, who have now won only one in their last five matches, will really have to step up their game if they are to avoid another semifinal exit as they did last season.
