PREVIEW: Highlanders begin their do-or-die stretch against a confident ATK
THINGS ARE ABOUT TO reach a tipping point for NorthEast United. At the bottom of the table with just 7 points from 7 matches, they are certainly not out of the race to top 4 yet, but one more loss will make things very difficult for them indeed.
You'd think that facing a team they just beat a couple of weeks ago would be a plus in this situation. But the defending champions Atletico de Kolkata went to Mumbai and trumped Mumbai City 4-1, the very team that embarrassed NEUFC with a 5-1 win. The psychological advantage is hardly there any more.
On top of that, a long list of injuries and ailments are forcing the coach's hands. After more than a month of trying, coach Cesar Farias has yet to find his perfect combination.
It's not that there aren't signs that they can turn this around. Back home, they beat ATK and Chennaiyin FC. Then in the last game they drew 1-1 with Delhi Dynamos. But they still aren't hitting that sweet spot, one that will bring them a few emphatic wins and propel them towards a semi-final berth.
For Farias, the problems are two-fold. So far they have scored only 7 goals in this year's campaign; a joint tournament lowest along with Delhi. But their defence has also conceded 13 goals; another lowest, this time their own. Now, at the defence, things are nearly maxed out for the Highlanders, potential-wise. But at the front, there is a whole lot of room for improvement.
Take for example the fact that the two trusted frontmen started most often by Farias have got one goal between them. While Nicolas Velez and Simao Sabrosa, who are presumably fit and have come off the bench to rescue the Highlanders in more than one game, have scored 5, which is more than 70% of NEUFC's goals. Maybe it's time for Farias to put them up front from the get go. Free kicks happen throughout the game, not just after 70 minutes. Having Simao around will be an extra advantage as opponent defenders will be reluctant to give away free kicks near the penalty box. Added pressure on the opponent.
As for Atletico de Kolkata, the win against Mumbai City has given the defending champions a much needed mileage. And to add to that, the injury crisis that seemed to be holding them back during the first few weeks seems to be on its way out. A few crucial players were rested in that match and having won despite that coach Habas is sitting on a wealth of choices.
Arata Izumi has most probably recovered so he may come back into the side. Defender Arnab Mondal, who was rested for that trip to Mumbai, will probably get a start as well.
But the real purple patch of the season for Habas and his boys is expected to start when their marquee striker Postiga comes back fully recovered on the 15th. They have four back to back home games after that. The same kind of home run that helped Mumbai, Pune and NorthEast turn things around to some degree. The way ATK are going, those games may become their definitive semi-final push.
For now, they are going in with the intent to make the most of the opportunity that is this game. After this game they will face Kerala and Delhi away so winning this one, which will take them to the third position ahead of Pune City and one point behind table toppers Goa. That would be a comforting before weathering some rough storm on the road.
Probable Starting Line-Ups:
Atletico de Kolkata - Amrinder Singh, Tiri, Augustin Fernandes, Arnab Mondal, Denzil Franco, Borja Fernandez, Oftense Nato, Sameehg Doutie, Jaime Gavilan, Arata Izumi, Iain Hume
NorthEast United - Rehenesh TP, Yumnan Raju, Carlos Lopez, Cedric Hengbart, Aiborlang Khongjee, Sanju Pradhan, Silas, Andre Bikey, Seityasen Singh, Simao Sabrosa, Nico
