ISL 2018-19: NorthEast United FC look for win at home against Jamshedpur FC

NorthEast United FC would look to continue their resurgence under head coach Eelco Schattorie when they host Jamshedpur FC in an Indian Super League clash in Guwahati on Thursday.

Schattorie's men did well to hold FC Goa 2-2 in their opening match at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium here before notching up an impressive solitary goal win over 10-man ATK in Kolkata.

They then made heads turn with their sensational comeback to defeat defending champions Chennaiyin FC 4-3 in their own den.

Jamshedpur's start to the season was steady with a 2-0 away victory against Mumbai City followed by draws against Bengaluru FC and ATK.

Under Cesar Ferrando, the Spanish revolution is well and truly underway at Jamshedpur with Mario Arques being the standout addition so far.

What Ferrando will want on Thursday is for marquee signing Tim Cahill to get off the mark.

 

SQUAD: Nigerian forward Bartholomew Ogbeche will be the biggest threat to Jamshedpur, having scored four goals already, including a stunning hat-trick against Chennaiyin.

Uruguayan Federico Gallego is another attack-minded signing who has looked impressive so far. Rowllin Borges has put in vital performances in midfield as well, contributing two winners in two games.

Sergio Cidoncha, another Spaniard, has been a bright spark in attack too with the forward bagging two goals already. Indian wingers Michael Soosairaj and Jerry Mawihmingthanga have caught the eye as well.

NorthEast will miss the services of Keegan Pereira, Simranjit Singh and Kivi Zhimomi due to injury concerns. But the Highlanders will be up for the battle against the Men of Steel with the victors set to go top of the table.

 

MANAGERS SPEAK: "I always like to be organised and stay compact. That has worked pretty well. But all those goals we conceded are from individual mistakes and we have to work on that. As long as we score one more than the opponent, I don't care," said a confident Schattorie, whose defence will be tested by Jamshedpur's attack.

"From the first day until today, all the Indian players in my squad are improving. Jerry and Michael Soosairaj are good players, they are working but they have to improve," said Ferrando.

"Sometimes they run a lot. You have to understand (in) football that sometimes you have to run and sometimes slow down. It is important to know when you have to run and when you have to stop," he added.

 

FORM: NorthEast United's revamped squad has hit the ground running during which they have accumulated seven points from three matches after winning two and drawing one. During this time, they have scored seven goals from eleven shots on target while they have a passing accuracy of 75.1 per cent. Captain Bartholomew Ogbeche has been in sensational form and has bagged four goals from three matches, including a hat-trick in the last match against Chennaiyin.

Jamshedpur FC started their campaign with an away win against Mumbai City FC but have since draw two other matches with Bengaluru FC and ATK. They now sit at the fourth spot in the points table with five points. This season, Jamshedpur have scored five goals while conceding three. Their passing accuracy is a fine 72.03 per cent. 

 

HEAD-TO-HEAD: NorthEast United FC and Jamshedpur FC have faced each other twice with Jamshedpur winning one match and the other one ending in a draw.

 

PROBABLE 11s:

NorthEast United FC: Pawan Kumar (GK), Mislav Komorski, Reagan Singh, Mato Grgic, Robert Lalthlamuana, Nikhil Kadam, Redeem Tlang, Rowllin Borges, Federico Gallego, Jose Leudo, Bartholomew Ogbeche (C)

Jamshedpur FC: Subrata Paul (GK), Tiri (C), Pratik Chowdhary, Yumnam Raju, Robin Gurung, Mario Arques, Memo, Jerry Mawhmingthanga, Michael Soosairaj, Sergio Cidoncha, Tim Cahill