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The second day in the Indian Super League features the franchisees from Kerala and North-East with the Kerala Blasters taking on NorthEast United FC. Audiences across the country can expect a mouth-watering clash at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Guwahati. Everybody is aware of the immense passion which north east people have for the beautiful game. Thus, the organizers can expect packed stadium today.
Venue
North East United FC, which is based out of the Guwahati, Assam 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 13, 2014: 7:00 pm – India (IST)
Possible starting line ups
North East United FC (4-2-3-1): Alexandros Tzorvas; Robin Gurung, Aiborlal Khongjee, Miguel Garcia Joan Capdevila; Isaac Chansa, Milan Singh, Boithang Haokip, Kondwani Mtonga, David Ngaihte; James keene
North East United FC is likely to start with a 4-2-3-1 formation. Greek international and World Cupper Alexandros Tzorvas will be chosen as the custodian. Their marquee signing Joan Capdevila will be seen in his natural position of left back. NEUFC will possibly miss the services of Trinidad &Tobago World Cupper Cornel Glen’s services up front due to injury concerns. Thus, English forward James Keene will start as the lone striker.
One of India’s most promising players Boithang Haokip (Shillong Lajong right midfielder) will start in his natural position with another Lajong product David Ngaihte in left midfield. Zambian international and Shillong Lajong midfielder Kondwani Mtonga will feature in the attacking midfield zone.
Kerala Blasters FC (4-4-2): David James; Cedric Hengbart, Nirmal Chhetri, Colin Falvey, Jamie McAllister; Sushant Mathew, Mehtab Hossain, Penn Orji, Ishfaq Ahmed; CS Sabeeth, Michael Chopra.
Player-manager of the Kerala Blasters team David James will start as the goalkeeper. The team will play in a typical English formation of 4-4-2 owing to its British management of David James and Trevor Morgan. Nirmal Chhetri is likely to feature in his natural position of centre back.
Morgan would possibly go with the same midfield which he had previously worked with in East Bengal. Mehtab Hossain would play in the defensive midfield zone with Penn Orji in attack. Sushant Mathew would operate from the right and Ishfaq Ahmed from the left. Mohun Bagan striker and local boy CS Sabeeth is likely to start alongside Indian origin British footballer Michael Chopra as forwards.
Key facts and stats
- Six players out of the starting eleven of North East United play for I-League side Shillong Lajong FC – five Indian players and one Zambian international.
- North East United FC is the only franchise who is not representing any particular city but the entire north east region of 8 states.
- The Kerala Blasters side will have only two local players in their starting XI
- The goalkeepers of the two sides have represented their respective national sides in the FIFA World Cup.
Key Battles
James Keene vs Colin Falvey
In the absence of Cornel Glen, North East United FC will bank upon their British recruit James Keene up front. He will be their target man and the key player to score goals. Trevor Morgan, on the other hand, will look up to Colin Falvey for leading the defensive line of Kerala Blasters and keeping a close tab on James Keene.
Michael Chopra vs Aiborlal Khongjee
Yesterday’s ISL opener proved that Indian defenders are equally important as the foreign recruits. Kerala Blasters are likely to start with two strikers, with Michael Chopra operating from the right side. He will be under strict vigilance of the Indian international defender Aiborlal Khongjee.
Prediction
North East United FC 0-2 Kerala Blasters FC
