NorthEast United FC (NEUFC) are getting ready to continue their fine form in the 2020-21 Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) as they take on FC Goa at the Fatorda Stadium on Monday.
The match, to be started at 7:30 pm, will be telecast by Star Sports Network and live-streamed by Disney+ Hotstar and Jio TV.
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FC Goa are yet to secure a win in the ongoing league and will look to get all three points against a team high on confidence.
NorthEast United FC lost to FC Goa five times in 12 encounters overall, and have won only twice.
The rest of the matches ended in a draw, says a match preview.
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NEUFC have not beaten their opponents even once in their last five encounters, and this is something that head coach Gerard Nus’ boys will look to change.
The NEUFC boys are in form under their head coach, Gerard Nus.
Goa have been vulnerable during set-pieces this season.
They conceded two goals from throw-ins against Bengaluru FC and one from a penalty in their late loss against Mumbai City FC.
Also read: ISL 2020-21: NorthEast United FC defeat Mumbai City 1-0
The Highlanders have scored two of their three goals from set-pieces and this could be crucial against the Gaurs.
Goa’s Redeem Tlang will miss the game, having received a red card against Mumbai City.
It will be interesting to see whether Brandon Fernandes finally gets to start in Hero ISL 2020-21 in the absence of Tlang.
Despite having just one point in two games, FC Goa have been impressive with their passing, completing 448 passes against Bengaluru FC, with a passing accuracy of 81.6%.
With a man less against Mumbai, the Gaurs couldn’t replicate their possession dominance but still attempted 10 shots.
Against NorthEast United FC, Goa can impose their possession game.
However, FC Goa have to be wary of the Highlanders on the counter.
All of the Highlanders’ goals so far have come in the second half.
Against Kerala in their previous encounter, they had more shots in the second half and helped themselves to a 2-2 draw.
Seventeen of their 21 shots have come in the second half while they are yet to have a shot on target in the first half.
NorthEast United FC’s defence has been top-notch as well.
They are yet to face a shot on target in the second half. Both of the goals they have conceded have been from set-pieces (one free-kick and one penalty).
As a matter of fact, the Highlanders have allowed just two shots on target, the joint least by a team this season.
Ably marshalled by Dylan Fox and Benjamin Lambot, the defence will have to be wary of an attacking Goa side who have had eight shots on target so far, the most by a team so far.
FC Goa have Mohammad Nawaz, Naveen Kumar, Shubham Dhas and Antonio D’Silva as goalkeepers.
The team has Sarineo Fernandes, Aiban Dohling, Ivan Gonzalez, James Donachie, Leander D’Cunha, Mohamed Ali, Sanson Pereira, Saviour Gama and Seriton Fernandes as defenders.
The midfielders are Alberto Noguera, Alexander Jesuraj, Brandon Fernandes, Edu Bedia, Flan Gomes, Jorge Mendoza, Lenny Rodrigues, Nestor Dias, Phrangki Buam, Princeton Rebello, Redeem Tlang and Seiminlen Doungel.
The forwards of NEUFC are Aaren D’Silva, Devendra Murgaonkar, Igor Angulo, Ishan Pandita, Makan Chothe
NorthEast United FC have Gurmeet, Nikhil Deka, Sanjiban Ghosh and Subhasish Roy as goalkeepers.
The team has Ashutosh Mehta, Benjamin Lambot, Dylan Fox, Gurjinder Kumar, Mashoor Shereef, Nabin Rabha, Nim Dorjee, Provat Lakra, Rakesh Pradhan and Wayne Vaz as defenders.
Federico Gallego, Imran Khan, Khassa Camara, Lalengmawia, Lalrempuia Fanai, Pragyan Gogoi and Rochharzela are midfielders of NEUFC.
Britto PM, Idrissa Sylla, Ninthoinganba Meetei, Kwesi Appiah, Lalkhawpuimawia, Luis Machado and Suhair Vadakkepeedika are the team’s forwards.