Guwahati: Mohun Bagan Super Giant will play with NorthEast United Football Club (NEUFC) in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 on Monday (September 23, 2024) at the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata at 7.30 pm.
The Mariners will play their second home game of the season and will aim to grab their first win after sharing spoils with Mumbai City FC in the opening clash.
NEUFC meanwhile, earned a win in their first game, courtesy of a late goal by Alaeddine Ajaraie against Mohammedan SC.
They will now take on the Mariners whom they defeated a few weeks ago in the Durand Cup 2024 final and will be upbeat to land their third successive win in Kolkata.
They have found the back of the net in 11 straight games and are now one short of their ISL streak of 12 matches - between March 2021 and January 2022.
DEFENSIVELY DISCIPLINED HIGHLANDERS:
NEUFC have kept three clean sheets in the last four games, including two on a trot in the previous couple of matches.
If they keep the Mariners at bay in the coming match, it will be the first time that they wouldn’t concede a goal in three consecutive encounters in the ISL.
COACH’S CORNER:
“We have to defend better”
Mohun Bagan Super Giant coach Jose Molina is cautious about his team conceding goals. His side led the Mumbai City FC match 2-0 at the break but after that, gave away two strikes to give up the lead and the three points. He is determined to turn things around in the upcoming fixtures.
“We have to play better and defend better to win matches. Of course, at this moment I’m upset. I’m working every day with my players to avoid conceding goals. We have to focus on that, keep working, stay positive, and hopefully, in the next matches, we will play better,” he said.
“Our job is to make it difficult for Mohun Bagan SG”
Juan Pedro Benali is predicting the Mohun Bagan Super Giant to come out strongly after their draw against the Islanders.
“Mohun Bagan haven’t had the best of results in the last few games. We are talking about a big club, a big team here. They will be eager to get over us and our job is to make it as difficult for them. The players are ready,” Benali said.
KEY PLAYERS AND MILESTONES:
Both the teams have influential players who can determine the outcome of this fixture.
Mohun Bagan fans would be hopeful of Dimitri Petratos scoring and creating chances for his teammates.
The Australian firepower had netted 10 goals and delivered seven assists last season, creating 60 chances in the process.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant’s Dimitri Petratos with the ball
NEUFC will be reliant on their pacey winger Jithin MS, who loves toying with the opposition full-backs.
The 26-year-old created two chances and delivered two key passes against Mohammedan SC and will look to bag his maiden goal of this campaign when he takes the field against the Mariners.
He had seven touches in the opposition’s box against Mohammedan SC, the joint-most by any player for his team - also Guillermo Fernandez.
NEUFC midfielder Mohammed Bemmamer won back possession 13 times against Mohammedan SC, the joint-most times by any player in a single ISL game in 2024.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant attacker Liston Colaco has eight goals against NEUFC, the highest such tally by any player against the Highlanders in the ISL and also Liston’s highest such tally against any single opposition in the competition.
