Maintaining that Delhi Dynamos lost their opening match due to their own mistakes and not because of the "merit" of the opposition team, coach Roberto Carlos today said that his side would bounce back in the Indian Super League football season with a better show against Chennaiyin FC here tomorrow.
"I would have been happy if Goa had won on merit but we lost that match due to our own mistakes," Carlos told reporters at the pre-match press conference, alluding to his side's 0-2 loss to FC Goa at Margao on October 4.
"But mistakes happen in football and I am not the type who point fingers to players for their mistakes. I have spoken to my players about the mistakes we committed in Goa during the team meeting. My team has talented players and I hope we will make amends and do better against Chennai," said the 42-year-old 2002 World Cup winner Brazilian.
Talking about Chennai, Carlos said, "They are a very good team under a very good coach (Marco Materazzi). They have talented players and they played well last season. It should be a great match tomorrow between two great teams.
"The stadium at Goa was houseful and our stadium here is much bigger. I hope our supporters will come out in large numbers at the stadium tomorrow," said the Dynamos marquee player-cum-coach.
Carlos is expected to continue to turn out for his side though not for the full 90 minutes. In Goa, he came out at the beginning of the second half after his side were already 0-2 down in the match.
"I want to play from the beginning (of the match) and I am trying. But, it is very hard (to do that). Let young people do the job. I will help the team in the second half," he said.
Asked why Brazilian striker Gustavo dos Santos, who was the highest scorer for Delhi last season, did not start the match against FC Goa but only came in the second half, Carlos said, "He was not at his best of fitness during training. For the next match (tomorrow), he will be ready and do better."
Santos, who was sitting beside his coach, said that he would be happy to play at any position. He was played on the right side against FC Goa than his usual left flank position at Brazilian side Atletico Paranense.
"For me, I am happy to play at any position. Roberto will decide which position I will have to play," Santos, who scored five goals for the Dynamos last year, said.
