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NorthEast United FC host defending champions ATK in Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Friday. The Highlanders under the tutelage of Avram Grant surprised all by showcasing a spirited performance that saw them get the better of free-scoring FC Goa, via a 2 – 1 scoreline last time around. The win happened to be their first success at home this season and the goals were also their first at home. They will be hoping to carry that winning momentum forward when they come across ATK in another home fixture. The two-time champions, on the other hand, succumbed to a 1 – 0 setback against league debutants Bengaluru FC in what happened to be their third defeat already this season. They have to find consistency if they want to qualify for a fourth successive semi-finals, and will look to do so during their trip to Guwahati.
HEAD TO HEAD
NorthEast United FC 2 – 3 ATK (1 draw)
KEY PLAYERS
Seiminlen Doungel (NorthEast United FC)
The 24-year-old has been one of the regular starters for the Highlanders this season. He has played his part on the right flank, making good runs and always completing a good number of passes, while also never being shy of taking on the opposition keeper. Doungel scored the winner against the Gaurs with a delightful chip over the keeper in NorthEast’s last match and he will be looking to continue in a similar vein of form when ATK come calling.
Conor Thomas (ATK)
The Englishman has played his part to the tee in his debut ISL season, having taken on the role of midfield anchorman for ATK at the start of the campaign. Slick and incisive with his passes, Thomas also breaks down several attacking moves from the opposition. The 24-year-old has a knack of reading the game well and is not shy about getting forward to be involved in attacks either.
POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUPS
NorthEast United FC
The Highlanders may use the 4-2-3-1 formation, hoping to optimize the midfield and the flanks.
Goalkeeper: TP Rehenesh
Defenders: Nirmal Chettri, Jose Goncalves, Sambinha, Reagan Singh
Midfielders: Martin Diaz, Rowllin Borges, Seiminlen Doungel, Marcinho, Halicharan Narzary
Forward: Danilo Lopes
Highlanders’ assistant coach Eelco Schattorie on the team’s way forward: “I think we need to improve a lot. I’m a coach but I’m speaking from my own perspective. Normally, to implement attacking football, you have to do that in pre-season. It is more difficult to reach that level at this stage. At the moment, we have a decent organization and we hope to build a good team from there.”
ATK
Teddy Sheringham is also likely to go with a 4-2-3-1 formation, which offers his team multiple options in attack.
Goalkeeper: Debjit Majumder
Defenders: Ashutosh Mehta, Anwar Ali, Tom Thorpe, Prabir Das
Midfielders: Zequinha, Ryan Taylor, Conor Thomas, Hitesh Sharma, Jayesh Rane
Forward: Njazi Kuqi
The visitor’s assistant coach Bastab Roy on the nature of the clash: “Planning is variable. The situation is such that it’s a must-win game for us as well as NorthEast. We’re struggling in the league table, so it’s anybody’s game at the moment.”
KEY STATS
ATK are currently seventh in the points table which is their lowest position in any ISL campaign after eight games
Only Delhi Dynamos FC have lost more games (7) than NorthEast (5) this season
LAST ENCOUNTER
ATK 1 – 1 NorthEast United FC (17th November 2016 at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium, Kolkata)
FORM GUIDE (Last five matches)
NorthEast United FC: W L L L L
ATK: L D W W L
