NorthEast United FC is a classic case of how quickly fortunes can change in the Hero Indian Super League. After thrashing table topper Chennaiyin 3-0 just a week ago, NEUFC lost by a similar margin to FC Goa in its last game the other day.
“It’s a great position for the league to be in,” said NEUFC head coach Ricki Herbert ahead of Thursday’s 13th-round game against Kerala Blasters at the Nehru Stadium here. “We hope to enjoy, we’re here to make it tough for the Blasters.”
With the tall Senegalese defender Massamba Sambou scoring twice, the tough NEUFC boys made life difficult for Chennai and Blasters head coach David James will be hoping the visitors don’t get into such a groove tomorrow. Spaniard Koke will be another man James will be keeping a close eye on.
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Despite losing its last two games, Blasters with 15 points, was in a much happier situation than NEUFC (13 points) this evening but all that changed on Wednesday with Pune City pushing Blasters’ down a rung.
“NorthEast knows it has to win both the (remaining) games to get through to the semifinals,” said James, hoping that the pressure and desperation would force the visitors to commit mistakes. But James could be worried over his personal fitness too.
He aggravated a groin injury in the team’s lone-goal loss to Chennaiyin in the last game, where he had to leave early, and could be a doubtful starter on Thursday.
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“It was a bit of an issue. I thought I’d be fine for the game against Chennai, obviously that proved wrong. I will assess it on Thursday,” said the 44-year-old former England international.
“The difference between the Chennai game and the previous game was the fact that we were forced to go in for two unplanned substitutions.”
Once again, Blasters will be looking to its key men — striker Iain Hume, Scottish midfielder Stephen Pearson and Indian defender Sandesh Jhingan.
It may be the side to have scored the least number of goals but James said his team would be happy to just win its next two games by 1-0 margins.
A win will take Blasters closer to the semifinals but with the league so unpredictable, anything can happen.