CHENNAI: Chennaiyin FC manager Marco Materazzi knows his team’s qualification to the semi-finals is not entirely in their hands but that will not stop them from giving everything they have in the remaining Hero Indian Super League matches, starting with the 12th round clash against Delhi Dynamos in Chennaion Tuesday.

 

Chennaiyin FC are sixth on the table with 13 points from 11 matches. With three matches still left to be played, Materazzi is aware of the mountain they have left themselves to climb.

 

“Each and every game is a final for us. It’s tomorrow or never,” Materazzi said at the pre-match media briefing.

 

Chennaiyin FC defeated FC Goa and Kerala Blasters by a huge 4-0 margins in the league and have Stiven Mendoza as the leading goal-scorer in the tournament with nine goals, which includes two hat-tricks. Yet, last years semifinalists have blown hot and cold and left themselves with a lot of ground to cover in the remaining matches.

 

“I knew what my team is capable of from the first game. We will do everything we can. Now it depends not only on us but also on other team’s results,” said Materazzi, who will miss two foreign players -- Manuele Blasi and Alessandro Potenza -- both of whom picked up their fourth yellow card in the last match and will remain suspended for the next match.

 

Asked whether Delhi Dynamos may not go all out for a victory as a draw will do them no harm, Materazzi pointed out to the tight table and said Delhi should be worried if NorthEast United defeat FC Goa and move to the top two.

 

“Delhi will benefit from a win,” said Materazzi.

 

Delhi Dynamos are among the more consistent teams in the ISL but marquee player-manager Roberto Carlos knows there is still lot of work to do.

 

“I am not really worried about finishing first, second, third or fourth. Every team is very balanced here. I just want to make it to the play-offs,” said Carlos.

 

Whether they are playing at home or away, Carlos said Delhi Dynamos will continue to play for a win and continue their pursuit of a place in the semi-finals.

 

“We know Chennaiyin’s situation. If they play attacking us, we will play counter-attack. If they defend, we can position our players well. The pressure is on Chennai. We are playing at their home and we respect them,” said Carlos.

 

Carlos said his team has been studying videos of Chennaiyin FC’s games in the ISL and trying to devise an adequate strategy.

 

Delhi Dynamos are placed third on the table with 18 points from 10 matches. They are just two points behind leaders Atletico de Kolkata (20 points from 12 matches). FC Goa are placed second with 18 points, the same as Delhi Dynamos, but with a better goal average.

(REPORT AND PICTURE COURTESY -- HERO ISL).