Roberto Carlos terms Salt Lake Stadium pitch as “loose”

by Siddharth Yadav October 30, 2015

After Delhi Dynamos 1-0 victory against defending champions Atletico de Kolkata at Salt Lake Stadium on Thursday evening, Delhi’s gaffer Roberto Carlos criticised the newly –laid grass turf of the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan.

Famously known as Salt Lake Stadium, it is also one of the venues for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

The Delhi Dynamos marquee player-cum-manager Roberto Carlos was not impressed by the grass surface and termed it “loose”.

“Personally, I didn’t like the ground. The grass is loose and keeps coming out. The speed of the game could be improved if the pitch remains firm.” the 2002 World Cup winner with Brazil told reporters after their narrow 1-0 win over defending champions Atletico de Kolkata in HERO Indian Super League.

Delhi Dynamos’s Gustavo Dos Santos scored the winner in the injury time to snatch all three points from the host as Atletico de Kolkata suffered their third straight loss in HERO Indian Super League.

“We were a little lucky to win this. It does not matter how we win. The important thing is to win. Usually, the team’s second half slows down. Dos Santos is very fast so we want him to come later and speed up the game. It was a very important victory for us. I want to congratulate him (Dos Santos),” he said.

On his second appearance this season that saw the spectators in the stadium stand up to their feet to greet him, Carlos said: “I will thank the supporters of Atlético de Kolkata for their love. I’m very happy to play in front of them. For me it’s an honour.”

He further added, “It’s awesome obviously. From among the ISL grounds, Delhi obviously ours, Kerala, Goa and Kolkata have been great. Fan support has been great. This makes the player more eager to play. Once again thank you so much for all the support.”

With this win, Delhi Dynamos moves second in the table and will be facing NorthEast United at home on Wednesday evening.