Post-Match Presentation: Jamshedpur 3-2 Bengaluru FC
NorthEast United FC will look to continue its winning run and seal a place in the top-four when it clashes with Kerala Blasters in a Indian Super League match at the Tilak Maidan Stadium here on Friday.
Unbeaten in its last eight games, NorthEast United, under Jamil, has taken 18 points. Only ATK Mohun Bagan (20) has more points. Even a draw on Friday will be enough for the Guwahati-based side to cement its position in the top four and ensure its second-ever appearance in the knockout phase.
Jamil has enjoyed success earlier. However, a win or a draw against Kerala will not only stretch his unbeaten run to nine games, but will also make him the first Indian manager to have managed more than three league sides and qualified for the playoffs.
Kerala is without a win in its last seven league games. With nothing but just pride to play for, interim coach Ishfaq Ahmed will be looking to end the season on a high.
Coach Jamil urged his side not to take their opponents lightly…
“They (Kerala Blasters) are a good team. They have talented players and so we will have to prepare. It will be a difficult game. We shouldn’t take this match lightly. We must fight,” he said.
NEUFC might need just a point but Jamil was in no mood to settle for a draw.
“We are not thinking about anything else. The preparations are the same. There are no changes in anything. The idea is to go there and give your best and have to be ready in all aspects,” he said.
Jamil rated his NEUFC assignment as the toughest to date. “It’s a big challenge here in ISL. Here we are dealing with good teams in the Hero ISL. There are quality players and coaches. So this is a different challenge,” he said.
“The matches are very similar to everyone. For us, we definitely want to win. They want to win. They have a little bit of extra pressure. For us, it’s another opportunity to sign off from the league on a high,” said Ahmed.
“We are not thinking about what they (NEUFC) want. We are thinking about us and what we have to do.” However, Kerala have failed to record a single win against their opponents in the last five meetings. NEUFC won once and the remaining matches ended in draws.
NorthEast United FC will take on Kerala Blasters FC in Match 106 of the Indian Super League 2020–21 at the Tilak Maidan stadium on Friday.
Overall ISL Head-to-Head: (Total: 13 | Wins: NEUFC: 3, KBFC: 5; Draw: 5)
Kerala leads the fixture with five wins.
The last meeting between these two teams happened on November 26, 2020 at the GMC Stadium in Goa when they played out a 2–2 draw. It looked like the Blasters would take home all three points, but a 90th minute equaliser from Idrissa Sylla ensured both teams took home one point apiece.
NEUFC: NEUFC is currently fourth on the table with 30 points, beside their name. It has had seven wins, nine losses and three draws.
KBFC: KBFC is currently 10th on the table with 17 points, next to its name. It has had three wins, eight losses and draws apiece.
NEUFC (WDWDD): Khalid Jamil’s impressive unit comes into this fixture in good form, having beaten SC East Bengal 2–1 in irs last game and is currently on a nine-match unbeaten run.
KBFC (DLDLL): KBFC comes into this game in completely contrasting form. It has lost three of its last five matches and has been winless in its last seven matches.
STAT ATTACK FROM THE FIXTURE
NEUFC : 29
KBFC: 23
NEUFC:
Luis Machado: 7
Deshorn Brown: 5
Federico Gallego: 4
KBFC:
Jordan Murray: 7
Gary Hooper: 5
Rahul Praveen: 3
Federico Gallego:
Matches 13
Minutes Played 968
Goals/Assists 4/6
Passing Accuracy 58.33
Interceptions 4
Average Passes/game 39.69
Vicente Gomez: 7.16
Matches 18
Minutes Played 1616
Goals/Assists 2/1
Passing Accuracy 75.88
Interceptions 23
Average Passes/game 48.33
NEUFC: 4
KBFC: 3
Kerala Blasters have had more direct attacks than any other side after MD21 this Indian Super League season (27), but only 2 of these 27 attacks have ended up as goals. Missing.
Highest Indian goal scorer looking for greener pastures!?
@Shubhayan - Your thoughts?
It’s all going to plan for NorthEast United who are 45 minutes away from reaching the semi-finals. Can Kerala Blasters change that in the second half?
NORTHEAST HAS RISEN!
A thoroughly professional performance from the boys sees off the Blasters and earns them a place in the Hero ISL Playoffs