Indian Super League: Important to stay on top, says Delhi Dynamos' Roberto Carlos

NEW DELHI: Unfazed by the Delhi Dynamos' poor goal-scoring run so far in the tournament, the team's marquee player-cum-manager Roberto Carlos said retaining a place at the top of the points table was "the most important thing" for him.

Delhi were held 1-1 by the seventh-placed NorthEast United in the Indian Super League ( ISL) match here last night.

"We are not worried about the goals. Sometimes your offensive part will score, sometimes not. Today, we have same points with the leader. We are still at the top of the table, and this is the most important thing," said Carlos, whose team has scored the least number of goals in the ISL this season.

The Lions are now behind table-toppers FC Pune City only on goal difference with 13 points from seven games.

World Cup winner Carlos, for the first time, featured in the starting line up of an ISL tie last night. To the delight of the home fans at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, it was also his first appearance in a home game.

On his performance, the 42-year-old said, "After so long without playing...I felt good. If I were only a player and not a coach, then obviously my psychology would have been a little different."

Carlos, who played for nearly 70 minutes -- the longest this season, added, "If I play often, I will get better."

NorthEast United FC, buoyed by vociferous away fans, were the more attacking of the two teams but could not capitalise on their chances.

NorthEast manager Cesar Farias said his team was the better side and should have taken all three points.

"It is a very important point for us. Every away point we get is good. But it is painful that we lost two points today. Especially, when we played better," Farias said.

Upbeat about his seventh-placed team's chances in the league, he said, "The ISL is a very unique league. Here you have to forget the past and get ready for the next game."

"We had a lot of injury issues. A lot of our players are young. Usually there is a phase when the team gains momentum and skyrockets. This match could be the game that gives us the edge to skyrocket in the league," he said.

The Highlander gaffer said, "We write the story day by day. We know this tournament is not how you start but how you end."