ISL: North East United FC vs FC Goa - What we can expect

North East United FC will play their third home match in a row against FC Goa on Sunday. After winning their opening match against the franchise from Kerala, the Highlanders suffered their first defeat in this year’s Indian Super League against Atletico De Kolkata.

The North East club will look forward to securing all three points from their home match. FC Goa, on the other hand, will want to secure their maiden point in the league. The match is expected to be a cracker of a game as both the teams will be hungry for three points.

Venue & Kick-off

North East United FC is based out of the Guwahati, Assam and they will use the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium as their home ground in the Indian Super League. The stadium is generally used for football matches and athletics events. It is a one tier stadium with a capacity of 35,000 with a roof only over the main stand. There are only a limited number of seats in the main stand and the rest is just a standing area.

Kick-off: October 19, 2014: 7:00 pm – India (IST)

Possible Starting line ups

North East United FC (4-4-1-1): Alexandros Tzorvas, Aiborlang Khongjee, Kondwani Mtonga, Joan Capdevila, Tomas Josl, Milan Singh, Durga Boro, Boithang Haokip, Koke, Zodingliana Ralte, James Keene.

Ricki Herbert would possibly go back to his old formation which he had used in the first game. North East United FC’s strength lies in wing play. Boithang Haokip and Zodingliana Ralte are doing well down the flanks, so both youngsters are likely to start. Koke will be brought down in the attacking midfield position as he failed to impress in the striking zone.

Koke serves as the connectivity between midfield and striker thus, the attacking midfield position suits him best. He had even scored a goal in the first match against Kerala Blasters from the same position. Herbert is likely to continue with Milan in defensive midfield position as the latter was flawless in the last game. Tomas Josl, who came in the second half will likely start the proceeding from left back.

FC Goa (4-1-4-1): Jan Seda, Prabir Das, Yonnes Bengelloun, Gregory Arnolin, Narayan Das, Peter Carvalho, Robert Pires, Edgar Marcelino, Gabriel Fernandes, Holicharan Narzary, Miguel Herlein.

Zico is likely to keep his starting XI unchanged from what he fielded in the last game. Even though FC Goa lost their ISL opener, their style of play was attractive. Goa is playing a brand of free-flowing football using both the flanks and the midfield pretty well.

While marquee signing Robert Pires is showing creativity in the midfield, young wingers Gabriel and Holicharan are playing well on the wings. Defensive midfielder Peter Carvalho too is doing a commendable job. If Miguel Herlein performs a little better up front, Goa can always dream of getting all three points in Guwahati.

North East United FC and FC Goa – Likely Starting XIs

Key facts and stats

All 10 Indian players in the starting eleven of North East United FC ans FC play for I-League sides Shillong Lajong FC and Dempo SC. While North East’s players belong to Lajong, FC Goa’s Indian players belong to Dempo.
North East United FC is the only franchise who is not representing any particular city but the entire north east region of 8 states.

Key Battles

Robert Pires vs Milan Singh

FC Goa’s captain and marquee player, Robert Pires is known to be world renowned winger. He was a part of Arsenal’s Invincible squad in the Premier League and also played for French national side. But in their opening game, FC Goa coach, Zico fielded Pires in a relatively unknown position – central midfield. Due to his age, Pires’ speed has decreased drastically, thus he cannot on from the wings anymore.

Pires was not particularly very impressive in the last game, but none can deny his creativity. He can still generate some good balls which can be deadly under certain circumstances. So North East’s defensive midfielder Milan Singh has to keep Pires under strict vigilance.

Robert Pires ISL — FC Goa’s Robert Pires

Koke vs Peter Carvalho

North East United’s attacking midfielder, Sergio Pardo (aka Koke) is the most crucial player in the team. He serves as a connection between the midfield and the strikers up front. He had scored the winner in the opening game against Kerala Blasters but failed to leave any mark in the last game against Atletico de Kolkata.

He was played as a striker in the last match which spoiled his game. If Koke is stopped from being dangerous, half of North East’s strength will be curbed down. FC Goa’s defensive midfielder Peter Carvalho will be given the responsibility to keep a check on Koke’s movements.