Delhi banking

MARGAO, GOA: At 35, Florent Malouda might not be at his best, but in the second edition of the Indian Super League (ISL) so far, he has been one of the better performers. The Frenchman has been a key member for Delhi Dynamos this season and one of the prime reasons for their ascent into the play-offs.

The former Chelsea player is among the bigger names to have come down for the league this season. He has played in nearly every match of the Delhi outfit. He along with John Arne Risse, 35, another senior European pro, have formed the crux of their side.

On Tuesday, the onus will on the duo to help their side maintain their advantage in the second of their two-game semifinal tie against FC Goa, that the Delhi outfit lead 1-0.

While both Malouda and Risse have played nearly every game this season, FC Goa too have been helped by the experience of their senior pros. While, Lucio, 35, has kept the backline in check through the course of the season, their Brazilian striker Reinaldo, 35, has ensured their attack has delivered in nearly every game.

FC Goa, in fact, lead the goalscoring charts with 29 goals so far, with Reinaldo having got seven.

Across the league, most teams have depended on their senior foreign imports to show them the way. While Pune have been steered by players like Didier Zokora, 35, and Tuncay Sanli, 33, Chennaiyin have prospered under Elano Blumer, 34.

Except for Elano, most teams replaced their marquee players this season, some even bought in a few more senior pros. Each of these players seem to be delivering, if not in absolute numbers but by they sheer presence on the field.

Last season, both Delhi and Goa were shackled due to the ineffectiveness of their marquee players. Goa’s Robert Pires, 44, then spent more time on the bench than off it. Same for Delhi’s Alesandro del Piero, 41, who was only seldom match fit.

Mumbai City FC too struggled to keep Freddie Ljungberg, 37 then, in the playing 11, with the Swede struggling to regain match fitness after repeated niggles and injuries.

According to FC Goa coach

Zico, this season clubs have not just chased big names but have recruited players who still have some engine in them.

“It is actually got nothing to do with age,” said Zico on Monday. “It is if a player has it in him to deliver on the field. Players like Lucio, Malouda have exemplified that fact this season.”

Most teams have chosen wisely, others have gone for names, but also tactfully signed on their services in roles of player-managers. So, Chennaiyin got Marco Materazzi back this season, but only as manager. Meanwhile, Nicolas Anelka might not have performed on the field, but his presence as manager has been felt, in Mumbai City FC’S case not too positively, considering their seventh-place finish.

On Tuesday, FC Goa will head into the game, without the services of Reinaldo, one of its oldest players, but their most effective ones this season.

The onus now will be on the youngsters in the side to step up and replicate what the ‘old’ pro was doing all season long.