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The moment of reckoning is finally here for Delhi FC. Come Monday, October 30, 2023, the team is set to become the first football club from the capital to participate in the I-League on merit when they take on Tiddim Road Athletic Union (TRAU) FC at the Namdhari Sports Complex Stadium from 2pm IST onwards in Ludhiana on Monday, October 30.
Boasting an impressive run in the qualification tournament for the I-League and a sound pre-season, Delhi FC enter this campaign on a high note. Their performance in the 2023 Durand Cup was noteworthy, managing to draw matches against ISL heavyweights Hyderabad FC and Tribhuvan Academy.
The head coach, Yan Law, is optimistic about the team’s prospects, emphasising the comprehensive preparation that has been put in. “We’ve prepared ourselves physically and mentally. Now, it’s time to translate that preparation into on-field performance,” Law said on the eve of the inaugural match.
In contrast, TRAU FC have been playing catch-up, especially with late-arriving foreign players impacting their pre-season preparation. TRAU FC head coach L Nandakumar Singh admitted that time was limited for him to help develop an understanding between the foreigners and local players but he remained confident.
“We have a relatively new and less-experienced squad, but they’re motivated and talented. We will adopt an aggressive, attacking style, aiming to log all three points,” Singh said.
Delhi FC are also a young squad, with many players making their I-League debut this season. The team captain, Balwant Singh, acknowledged the critical role of experienced players like himself in shaping these young talents. “We have a good mix of youth and experience. It’s crucial that senior players set the correct example. From maintaining good shape on the pitch to executing precise passes, I aim to guide them diligently,” Balwant asserted.
The match will be broadcast live on the Eurosport channel and streamed on Indian Football YouTube channel and Fancode.
