NEUFC vs Fc Goa: Resolute Highlanders hope to ride bruised Gaurs on home advantage
AFTER MORE THAN TWO WEEKS into its second edition, ISL is finally returning to Guwahati. Tonight, NorthEast United get to play in front of their fans once again, taking on a difficult opponent in Zico's FC Goa.
Both teams are coming off disappointing defeats, especially FC Goa, who were humiliated at home by Chennaiyin FC in a 4 goal beatdown. NorthEast United, who were looking to solidify against Pune City after a first round loss to Kerala Blasters, didn't play badly, but went down due to an own goal by Zohmingliana Ralte.
But stakes are higher for the Highlanders as they play their new-look second season squad in front of their home crowd for the first time, and also because, having lost both their matches, they are at present at the bottom of the table, the only team still without a single point.
In spite of the loss to Pune City, coach Cesar Farias believes that the way his defence stood strong after letting in 3 goals against Kerala Blasters is something to be hopeful about. Speaking at the pre-match press conference, he said,
“I liked my team’s play. Unfortunately we did not get the result but playing like this, we will get the result. Of course, losing hurts but everyone who saw the game, knows which team out there set the tone of the game. Now it’s our turn to be strong at home."
In Cedric Hengbart, Reagan Singh and Yumnam Raju, Farias has found some trusted defenders, even as Miguel Garcia remains out with an ijury. Ralte can make way for Aiborlang Khongjee who is back from national duty. While the fans were hopeful that they would get to see local hero Seityasen Singh in action against Goa, it has turned out he is not fully fit and will miss the game. There's a good chance the rest of the NEUFC squad will remain unchanged because even though the forward line has not produced many goals yet, players like Silas, Richard Dadzie, Diomansy Kamara and Nicolas Velez are talented individuals who can be trusted to ultimately deliver.
Just as this is the first home game for NorthEast, it is also the first time FC Goa have ventured out of Fatorda this season. And they are doing so on the back of a massive loss which is still playing on Zico's mind,
"In my coaching career of 16 years, I've never lost a match 4-0. We are very sad about the loss... we hope to recover from our loss against Chennai and play well. NEUFC also have had similar problems as ours, like injuries. In the last game, they suffered an undeserved loss. They have a very good coach and they fared well in South Africa. So we expect a good and difficult game.”
The veteran Brazilian used the same starting XI against Chennaiyin that he had fielded in the 2-0 win against Delhi Dynamos, but in a 4-2-3-1 formation instead of 4-1-4-1. This tactical shift came back to bite him as the narrower midfield allowed Mendoza to have more room to run around on the right flank and take on a hapless Goa left back in Keenan Almeida. He rang in a hat-trick. He might want to go back to the old formation when taking on NEUFC, because Richard Dadzie can be a tricky customer.
NorthEast United are already without their marquee signing Simao Sabrosa. But it turns out that the Goa marquee, Lucio, is also out for the match. So is medio Jofre. Losing two important players on the day before an vital game is never an easy prospect, but Zico might have two solutions ready at hand in two of his fellow countrymen. Luciano Sabrosa, who has been playing in the I-League for various clubs since 2007, might finally get his ISL debut as he fits right into the centre back position that Lucio has left vacant. And Jofre might be replaced with 21 year old Atletico Paranaense loanee Jonatan Lucca.
But the return of Pronay Halder and Narayan Das from national duty is definitely a boost for FC Goa and allows Zico to do some much needed shuffle in the defence. He may want to drop Keenan Almeida, move Debabrata to his usual position at right back, and introduce Narayan Das at left back, to make for a dependable defence against NEUFC. There's a good chance that Mandar Rao Desai might be dropped, with C.S. Sabeeth being rewarded for his hard work against Chennaiyin with a start.
All in all, the clash of the Highlanders with the Gaurs tonight is going to be just as unpredictable as it is crucial for both teams. And both coaches seem to be relishing the challenge. But, while the home team coach Cesar Farias has never experienced playing at the Indira Gandhi stadium before, Zico has fond memories of last season that he believes will fuel his team,
“When I was a player, I liked noisy venues a lot. For or against my team, it did not matter. Last year, we had around 30,000 people here. We had a good game, drew 1-1. Every good player, eventually, is motivated by the environment of the stadium. The noisier the better!”
Probable Starting Line-Ups:
NorthEast United - Gennaro Bracigliano, Yumnam Raju, Cedric Hengbart, Aiborlang Khongjee, Reagan Singh, Silas, Diomansy Kamara, Siam Hanghal, Sanju Pradhan, Nicolas Velez, Francis Dadzie
FC Goa - Elionton Andrade, Debabrata Roy, Luciano Sabrosa, Gregory Arnolin, Keenan Almeida, Jonatan Lucca, Denson Devadas, C.S. Sabeeth, Leo Moura, Romeo Fernandes, Reinaldo
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