Advertisement

ISL: We need a little bit of luck too, says Mark Luijpers

As Delhi Dynamos' strikers struggle to find the net in the ongoing Indian Super League, its stand-in coach Mark Luijpers on Wednesday attributed the trend to lack of luck.

ISL: We need a little bit of luck too, says Mark Luijpers

New Delhi: As Delhi Dynamos' strikers struggle to find the net in the ongoing Indian Super League, its stand-in coach Mark Luijpers on Wednesday attributed the trend to lack of luck.

Ahead of tomorrow's ISL match against bottom-placed FC Goa, the seventh-placed outfit has managed four draws, two losses and a solitary win, with its strikers failing to live upto expectations.

"Our preparation is on. You need a little bit of luck too as far as scoring goals is concerned. We have been not been lucky but I think it's just a matter of time," Luijpers said at the pre-match press conference here today.

"It's really an important game for us. We need to take our revenge tomorrow. Earning three points is important as we are targeting the number four position." The Dynamos had lost to FC Goa in their away match.

"We are happy to be back in Delhi for the next two games, and it's great to play with the home crowd cheering us. The players are looking forward to taking on Goa." Asked about his strikers, who are on the older side compared to other teams, Luijpers said, "Age has got nothing to do with that. We have one young strikers and the others are very experienced. We are pretty happy with their strikers. Our top striker has scored two goals."

Luijpers will be standing in for regular chief coach Harm van Veldhoven, who was sent off for protesting against a referee decision against Kerala Blasters FC in their last match. The side's marquee player, Alessandro Del Piero, said it was important to have synchronisation.

"The coordination between Indian and foreign players is important," he said. Asked if he was happy with his performance in the inaugural edition of the league, the 40-year-old World Cup winner and a Juventus legend said: "I try to do my best. It's a difficult phase for us as 10 days back we were in the fourth position. I am right now only concentrating on tomorrow's game, that is the only thing in my mind.

"I think the right time to evaluate my performance will be at the end of the season. My current target is to play with my team assist them in every way." India defender Anwar Ali, who is also part of the Dynamos outfit, said, "It's going well, there are lots of competition in the team right now for spots."

Asked about the 5-6 Indian and foreign players ratio in the league, Anwar said, "This is just the beginning for ISL. I think it?s a good rule to have 5 Indian players in every squad as it gives us a chance to get valuable experience alongside some great international players.

"In due course as our level improves to match up to international standards, I feel the number of Indian players in will go up automatically in all squads."