Thursday , March 28 2024

NorthEast United FC search for win against Jamshedpur FC!

NorthEast United FC begin their 2017-18 Indian Super League (ISL) campaign by hosting league debutants Jamshedpur FC at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Saturday. The Highlanders have never qualified for the semi-finals in the league and narrowly missed out on the final four in the past two seasons. They have brought in a nice mix of experienced overseas players to combine with the immense potential of their local talents. However, they will most likely miss the services of Rowllin Borges after he picked up a knock. Jamshedpur, on the other hand, have stuck to tried and proven players in the league and they will want to get maximum points from their first ever ISL outing.

KEY PLAYERS:

Halicharan Narzary (NorthEast United FC)

One of the Highlanders’ go-to men this season will be the highly rated Halicharan Narzary. The 23-year-old is a quick customer, and is adept at taking on any defender besides also initiating attacks from the flanks. Having not been used to his full potential in previous seasons, Narzary has shown promise, and NorthEast will bank on him to break down Jamshedpur’s defence.

Sameehg Doutie (Jamshedpur FC)

The South African is one of the more popular faces in the league. Two successful seasons with ATK saw him pick up numerous assists as well as goals. A winger by trade, Doutie will be one of his team’s most potent attacking threat. His quick feet and trickery can be a handful for any defender in the league and Jamshedpur will hope that pacey winger brings his A-game for their first match in the league.

Potential Starting lineups

NorthEast United FC:

The Highlanders will probably go for a typical 4-4-2 formation, giving them enough support in midfield to support the two strikers up front.

Goalkeeper: Rehenesh TP

Defenders: Robert Lalthlamuana, Jose Goncalves, Nirmal Chettri, Reagan Singh

Midfielders: Halicharan Narzary, Lalrindika Ralte, Marcinho, Odair Fortes

Forwards: Danilo Lopes Cezario, Luis Alfonso Paez Restrepo

NorthEast United FC head coach Joao de Deus on the club’s woes in previous seasons: “I wasn’t here in the past, so I cannot say anything about it. I’m not supposed to speak about something I don’t know. Right now, we have a good set of coaches who have good knowledge in the area of training. They know when we have to be careful in some situations to play in a particular manner.”

Jamshedpur FC:

Jamshedpur FC have great squad depth themselves and they would like to keep experimenting. For their match-up, they will also probably go for the traditional 4-4-2 and keep their options open.

Goalkeeper: Subrata Paul

Defenders: Shouvik Ghosh, Anas Edathodika, Andre Bikey, Robin Gurung

Midfielders: Trindade Goncalves, Souvik Chakrabarti, Memo, Sameehg Doutie

Forwards: Kervens Belfort, Sumeet Passi

Jamshedpur head coach Stevel Coppell on managing a new club: “It feels good to be in a new club although it doesn’t make a great deal of a difference. Like I’ve said on a number of occasions, sometimes a blank piece of paper is good. Sometimes it’s a hindrance but as we build up to the game tomorrow, the concentration is just on the players and the management to try and create an environment where the players can express themselves properly. So, it’s just a normal preparation in many ways.”

Key Stat:

Six former NorthEast United players have been drafted in by Jamshedpur FC for this season: Yumnam Raju Mangang, Jerry Mawhmingthanga, Sumeet Passi, Shouvik Ghosh, Robin Gurung and Subrata Paul

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