A depleted NorthEast United FC will look to revive their fortunes as they lock horns with bottom-placed SC East Bengal in their Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2021-22 match at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, in Goa, on Friday. The match will start at 7:30 PM IST. It will be telecast live on the Star Sports Network, Disney+ Hotstar and Jio TV.
Both sides have had a forgettable season so far. East Bengal has looked clueless in this season and perish at the bottom of the table, having secured just three draws and no win from six matches so far. NEUFC is not doing a lot better, as well. They are placed second last with four points. It will be a key match for both sides as a win can give them the much-required boost, and hence no team is taking each other lightly.
NEUFC Head Coach Khalid Jamil expects his side to get better after this match and is very hopeful. Ahead of the match, he said. “I believe in the boys, and I know they will play confidently, and everything will be fine after this game.”
He also feels that his players are not facing challenges to mentally bounce back, after the four losses and it is only a matter of time. He said, “We have experienced Indian players. I don’t think there is any problem there. With regards to confidence, sometimes you are unlucky but hopefully, this time luck will favour us. The remaining players are working hard as well.”
Failing to convert major goal-scoring opportunities has been a key problem for NEUFC, and they will want to improve that aspect of their game. Injury concerns remain for the Highlanders as some of their key players, including Deshorn Brown, will be missing from action in the upcoming match too. VP Suhair and Hernan Santana’s performance will be key. The two teams have faced each other twice earlier with NEUFC coming out victorious both times.