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NorthEast United FC’s Portuguese manager Joao de Deus confirmed that he will be able to field his best XI in ISL 2017 so far, ahead of the match against Delhi Dynamos at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, in New Delhi, on Saturday.
NEUFC have been perennial underachievers in the ISL so far, despite having some of the most promising players in their squad in the tournament that is in its fourth season currently. The Highlanders have never made a top-4 finish in the tournament but will be looking to turn things around this season.
The Highlanders are currently bottom of the league, after having drawn their first match against Jamshedpur FC, while losing their second game 3-0 at Chennaiyin. However, coach de Deus was happy about his side’s preparation heading into the game.
“For the first time, the best playing XI of NorthEast United will be on the field tomorrow, in my opinion,” said a beaming de Deus ahead of the match.
NEUFC’s attackers are struggling ahead of the game, as the club is yet to score its first goal of the tournament. However, de Deus was not too concerned about that, saying, “I am going to tell my boys to do the same things they have been doing since the first day. Nothing changes. The most important thing is to generate as many chances.”
One positive that the away side are going into this game with, is that their coach has the full squad at his disposal, as they head to the game.
The Highlanders have not been able to win a single match so far in the tournament. However, de Deus waved off such statistics. He said, “It’s not my seventh game against Delhi Dynamos. It’s my first game against Delhi Dynamos. The history is for the museums.”
Having never made it to the semifinals, NEUFC would be looking to turn things around from their heavy 3-0 defeat at the hands of Chennaiyin FC. However, with their attack struggling to score goals, it remains to be seen how de Deus sets his team up against Delhi.
