Kerala Blasters players warm up before the start of the semifinals first leg in Kochi on Sunday. Photo: ISLNew Delhi: Delhi Dynamos will look to exploit Kerala Blasters' unimpressive away form to overturn a one-goal deficit in the return leg of the Indian Super League (ISL) semifinals here on Wednesday.
Delhi lost the first leg 0-1 away in Kochi, but they will still be confident of reaching the final, particularly because of their encouraging home record.
They are the only team not to lose at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here and have scored 18 goals in the process during the group stages, the most by any team this season.
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"When we play at home, it is an advantage for us. To play in front of our fans is an advantage, and we are fortunate to have the second match at home and it is a good opportunity for us. I hope we are able to utilize this opportunity," said Delhi coach Gianluca Zambrotta.
Delhi were disappointing in their away clash. But they will look to avoid another disappointment like last season when they lost to FC Goa in the semifinals.
Blasters need only a draw to qualify for their second final in three years. They have added impetus to reach the final as it will be played in their own backyard on December 18.
But Blasters' away record will be a concern for coach Steve Coppell. They have conceded 11 goals away from home this season, the most among the four semifinalists, and managed to score just four goals away from home, the fewest by any team.
"We will just go out and play and I don't think you can set out and decide that we will defend or counter-attack and the game has an ebb and flow to it," said Coppell.
"But at home knowing that they have to score goals and beat us, so they might have more urgency in their play and we might be pressurized a little bit more and there is no way we will go there thinking we are 1-0 ahead. We will defend it, but we will just go there and play and see what happens."
(With agency inputs)
