PREVIEW: Highlanders hold upper hand as Pune too looks for a win to stay in semis hunt

NORTHEAST UNITED FC and FC Pune City will be still eyeing Indian Super League (ISL) semi-finals qualifications when they play against each other here on Wednesday despite being in discomforting positions.

Both NorthEast United and FC Pune City find themselves in a similar do-or-die situation of making it to the play-offs but both teams are keeping faith in their abilities.

NorthEast are placed fourth on the table with 17 points from 13 matches. With Atletico de Kolkata, FC Goa and Delhi Dynamos already qualifying for the semis, there is only a lone spot available for grabs. NorthEast have only one match in hand and will have to hope that other results go their way even if they win that match.

FC Pune City are in a slightly better position. They are sixth with 15 points but have two matches in hand. Win in the next two games will inch closer to the qualification for the last-four stage. But Pune have not won any of their six away matches played so far and are also winless in the last six matches.

NorthEast United coach Cesar Farias said during the pre-match media briefing here on Tuesday,

"It's true that we had a big possibility in the last game but we let it slip through our hands. But it is also true that we still have a possibility. It's not impossible. You have got to keep going and concentrate on what's coming up next."

With Chennaiyin FC defeating Mumbai City last Tuesday night, there is no guarantee that NorthEast United will reach the semi-finals even if they beat Pune City. NEUFC coach Cesar Farias said it did not phase his players as they were concentrating on the task at hand,

"We'll fight till we have the slightest of chances to make it. These are big games and a win can make all the difference for us. It's a big game and necessary (to win) for both teams. We will have to risk a lot of things."

Pune FC coach David Platt said his team is looking forward to the game and said they are only thinking about a win,

"Now we know where we are and what we need to do. It's still in our own hands, we depend on our own results. It's about looking forward to this game rather than looking back to the last one."

Pune City lost against Atletico de Kolkata 1-4 in the last match. Platt told reporters,

"It's gone, nothing that we can do about it. When you concede so many goals, you cannot win games. It's goals that change games."

Platt said midfielder Eugeneson Lyngdoh is suspended for the crucial clash while defender Gouramangi Singh is ruled out of the tournament with an injury.