ISL: NEUFC, KBFC looks to build momentum in Guwahati
Guwahati: The NorthEast United Football Club (NEUFC) will host Kerala Blasters FC at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati, Assam in the Indian Super League (ISL) on Sunday (September 29) at 7:30 pm.
The visitors had triumphed over East Bengal FC by 2-1 in their previous match, whereas the Highlanders were at the receiving end of a 3-2 loss against the Mohun Bagan Super Giant.
DEFENSIVELY DISCIPLINED NEUFC:
NEUFC have kept two consecutive clean sheets at home in the ISL, with results of 3-0 vs Odisha FC and 2-0 vs Kerala Blasters FC.
They have never kept a clean sheet in three consecutive matches in the ISL in their home turf, and this game is an opportunity to do so.
KBFC’s POSITIVE TRACK RECORD AGAINST NEUFC:
Kerala Blasters FC have won thrice and drawn twice in their last six fixtures against NEUFC.
Their aerial prowess is visible from the five headed goals they have scored in ISL since the start of the 2023-24 season, which is a factor for the home team to watch out for.
“WE HAVE A FINAL COMING”:
NEUFC head coach Juan Pedro Benali has repeatedly mentioned that he treats every league fixture as a final.
He is positive of the improvements that his side is showing after a closely-fought affair against the Mariners in Kolkata last week.
“I am really happy and proud of my players because we have shown that we are growing. My team needs to improve in many areas, from all the areas, we need to keep working, now we have another final (against KBFC) we will think about the next game,” Benali said.
“WE HAVE A REALLY GOOD FINISHING LINE-UP”:
In Kerala Blasters FC’s last match, Kwame Peprah came off the bench to score the winner against East Bengal FC.
So far, 14 goals have been scored in or after the 85th minute mark in the competition, ensuring that games remain competitive right until the end.
Head coach Mikael Stahre is appreciative of the substitutes he can call up on.
“The reason we won against EBFC is not only because of a strong starting line-up, but also because of a really good finishing line-up,” he said.
“You see that every single week now, and every single day actually, or a match in this ISL, that lots of goals are being scored in the dying minutes. Everyone in football talks about the line-up, but also about who is in the line-up in the closing minutes of the game,” Stahre added.
HEAD-TO-HEAD:
Out of 20 fixtures between these two teams in the ISL, NEUFC have won five games and Kerala Blasters FC have emerged victorious eight times. Seven matches have resulted in a draw.
KEY PLAYERS AND MILESTONES:
NEUFC’s Alaeddine Ajaraie has found the back of the net in his first two ISL matches, tallying two goals and one assist.
If he scores in his third game, he will become only the second player to score in each of their first three ISL matches, following Elano, who did so in six consecutive games.
Parthib Gogoi, with 13 goal contributions, is two away from Bartholomew Ogbeche (14) to become the outright second highest goal contributor for NEUFC after Federico Gallego (20).
Sandeep Singh’s 90.5 per cent tackle success rate in the ISL since the start of 2024 is the joint-highest for any player who has attempted a minimum of 20 tackles alongside Tekcham Singh.
Kerala Blasters FC’s Noah Sadaoui’s 25 shot-ending carries in the ISL since the beginning of 2024 is the highest such tally for any player in the given time period.
ISL FANTASY PICKS:
Noah Sadaoui (11.5 crore)
Has earned 11 fantasy points in ISL 2024-25 so far
Alaeddine Ajaraie (8.1 crore)
Has bagged 14 fantasy points across both match weeks