NorthEast United FC will look to boost its bid for a spot in the top four when it resumes its Indian Super League (ISL) campaign with a clash against Chennaiyin FC at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium here on Saturday.
Striker Salom during training
Guwahati:
NorthEast is winless in four games and suffered a 1-5 reverse at the hands of FC Goa in its last match. However, Schattorie will hope his side is fresh and raring to go after the long break, besides being boosted by the signing of Greek forward Panagiotis Triadis.
“We have reached the top four and we have done it through hard work. We started our preparation two weeks back. The only thing I didn’t like is that we played our friendlies against low-level opposition. That makes it difficult for the coach to assess the level of the team,” said Schattorie.
In the six outings here, NorthEast managed to win just once, drawing four and losing one game. Once again, the onus will be on Bartholomew Ogbeche, who has nine goals under his name. He will lead the attack against a fragile Chennaiyin defence, which has the worst defensive record in the league this season (24 goals conceded in 12 games).
The defending champion has won just once so far and has realistically just pride to play for. However, John Gregory will be keen to ensure it finishes as high up as possible and generate some momentum for its campaign in the AFC Cup. CK Vineeth and Halicharan Narzary have been brought in on loan from Kerala Blasters and the duo could liven up proceedings. The absence of skipper Mailson Alves due to a suspension will be a worry for an already shaky defence.
The Englishman also suggested that Chennaiyin might go into the match with just four foreigners. “We might experiment with just four foreigners for the rest of the ISL. We got in two boys from Kerala who are domestic players. So, they are not adding to the foreigner quota. It’s a no brainer for me, considering their quality. They are ready-made as they are already adapted to the conditions and the league,” he said.
Eelco Schattorie’s team is fourth on the table, with 20 points from 12 games. With just six games remaining and Jamshedpur FC and ATK breathing down its neck, it is imperative that the Highlanders grab a win against the bottom-placed side. There will be concerns, though, particularly its form before the break.
NorthEast is winless in four games and suffered a 1-5 reverse at the hands of FC Goa in its last match. However, Schattorie will hope his side is fresh and raring to go after the long break, besides being boosted by the signing of Greek forward Panagiotis Triadis.
“We have reached the top four and we have done it through hard work. We started our preparation two weeks back. The only thing I didn’t like is that we played our friendlies against low-level opposition. That makes it difficult for the coach to assess the level of the team,” said Schattorie.
In the six outings here, NorthEast managed to win just once, drawing four and losing one game. Once again, the onus will be on Bartholomew Ogbeche, who has nine goals under his name. He will lead the attack against a fragile Chennaiyin defence, which has the worst defensive record in the league this season (24 goals conceded in 12 games).
The defending champion has won just once so far and has realistically just pride to play for. However, John Gregory will be keen to ensure it finishes as high up as possible and generate some momentum for its campaign in the AFC Cup. CK Vineeth and Halicharan Narzary have been brought in on loan from Kerala Blasters and the duo could liven up proceedings. The absence of skipper Mailson Alves due to a suspension will be a worry for an already shaky defence.
The Englishman also suggested that Chennaiyin might go into the match with just four foreigners. “We might experiment with just four foreigners for the rest of the ISL. We got in two boys from Kerala who are domestic players. So, they are not adding to the foreigner quota. It’s a no brainer for me, considering their quality. They are ready-made as they are already adapted to the conditions and the league,” he said.