Indian Super League: Mads Junker confident Delhi will make playoffs
Copenhagen native and Dynamos strike force's mainstay feels Delhi can turn things around.
Dynamos’ Mads Junker has scored 3 goals so far in the tournament. (Source: PTI)
Ahead of Delhi Dynamos’ crucial encounter against Atletico De Kolkata, striker Mads Junker looks relaxed. After the training session in the morning, he has chalked out his plan for the day – a visit to Qutab Minar followed by shopping at Connaught Place. “I have visited Jama Masjid, and have also been to other places here, but a visit to Connaught Place sounds interesting,” he says.
Junker’s mood sums up Delhi’s frame of mind ahead of their duel against Kolkata. Things were, however, different two weeks ago. They were mauled at home by a resurgent Goa and their confidence had hit rock-bottom. A lot has changed since then. They have notched up two comprehensive victories – one an away win against NorthEast – and then at home against Mumbai. The two wins seem to have galvansied Harm Van Veldhoven’s side.
So what has prompted this turnaround in Delhi fortunes? Junker reckons it is the change in tactics initiated by coach Van Veldhoven that has brought immediate results. “In the last two games, we tweaked around our formation a bit and looked to play on the counter. That created more scoring opportunities and the plan worked for us. Against NorthEast, we got an early goal, courtesy Gustavo dos Santos and it set the tone for us. When things are not going your way, you might get frustrated. But getting that early goal boosted our morale,” he said.
Against Mumbai, Shylo Malsawmtluanga, Francis Fernandes and Dos Santos played behind Junker. The trio brought in more energy and tested Mumbai’s defence. This eased the pressure off Junker upfront and helped Dynamos get more of the possession.
“Tactically, this style of play suits me more. As a striker, I need crosses, which I was not getting in early stages of the competition, and this was hampering my play. This is completely different from how, for instance how Dos Santos plays. He can make things happen on his own. However, I need that supply from the backline, which I have been getting in the last two games,” the 33-year-old said.
The Dynamos have now scored 13 goals in the tournament so far and the striker says his team is gelling well as a unit and is looking confident of registering a berth in the playoffs. “The competition has been good so far. It’s anybody game. With three games to go, we are confident of a playoffs berth.”
Watch out for fikru
On the game against Kolkata, the former Vitesse striker said: “They have a good decent side and Garcia is their star player. Fikru is someone to watch out for. Their offensive game is good so we really have to watch out for that. I think in terms of quality and balance, Kolkata is the best side in the tournament. As far as our gameplan is concerned, we could send one of your midfielders to mark their star player Garcia. Another option would be to go a little lower and stay a little more compact without altering your defence too much. These are some of the tactical options we could employ… but let’s see what our coach wants.”
Dynamos and Junker can take solace from the fact that Kolkata have not performed to the best of their potential in away games. He puts down Kolkata’s poor away record due to their inability to make the switch from playing on artificial turf at home to grass. “It is always difficult switching from playing on artificial turf to grass. I guess their poor away record is due to their inability to make that switch,” he reckons.
Impressed by ISL
The Copenhagen native says the ISL has been a well organised event. He has also been impressed by the hospitality he has received in India so far. The only complaint he has with the tournament, though, is its duration. Junker reckons it’s too short. “In future, I would like ISL matches to be spread a little bit more. Two months is too short for a tournament of such a magnitude. With so much of travelling and training in between playing matches, recovery time for players is less. In Europe too I have played, but over there it is a little more spread out in the calendar, which gives you the breathing space between games.” He cites the example of Chennaiyin’s marquee player Elano, who is out for three weeks due to a muscle injury.
“Elano has been by far Chennai’s best player. He is the highest goal scorer and people pay to watch him play and when you lose a player of his quality, because he is playing too much and does not have the time to recover… it’s sad.”
Post ISL, Junker is looking to spend quality time with his family in Copenhagen. “Celebrating Christmas with my family is my immediate plan after ISL. As far as my footballing commitments go, I may play in Holland or Belgium… I have not decided as yet.”
A career in television is something the 33-year-old is looking forward to. “I have signed a deal with Danish TV to do commentary, where I will use my experience that I have gained over the last 15 years,” he added.
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