NorthEast United FC (NEUFC) will seek to build on the confidence drawn from its recently gained proficiency when it takes on the might of defending champion Atletico de Kolkata (ATK) at the Indira Gandhi Stadium here on Friday.
NEUFC’s new Venezuelan coach Cesar Farias will likely use the 2-0 win against formidable Chennaiyin FC three days ago as inspiration. This could help the team mentally overcome any doubts its unfavourable record against ATK might have created; ATK has had the better of both previous meetings.
The way NEUFC upstaged Chennaiyin in a bruising encounter on Tuesday was a pointer to the “combination and focus” that Farias has been trying to impress on his team. The home side tasted its first success after three consecutive losses and that seemed to happen with the return of marquee player Simao Sabrosa.
Coming on as a 74th-minute substitute, the Portuguese World Cupper appeared to dispel the striking blues plaguing the team. He scored from a late penalty as NEUFC managed a photo-finish win to sustain its hopes. NEUFC also strengthened its defence, including Cameroonian Andre Bikey as a replacement for Miguel Garcia to assist Cedric Hengbart in the back-line.
Time to reorganiseATK’s aspirations hinge on a slightly different proposition. Unlike NEUFC, currently bottom of the standings with three points, the Kolkata side is fourth with seven points from two wins, a draw and a loss. Coach Antonio Habas will have used the break after the last match to reorganise his side, which has largely impressed with its thrust and coordination. Habas had admitted that last Saturday’s 1-0 loss against Pune City was his side’s worst performance in recent times and had promised a recovery.
The Kolkata side has found a way to survive without marquee player Helder Postiga, recovering from an injury in Spain, by using the doughty Iain Hume in the offensive role reserved for the former. Habas, however, is seemingly not happy with the performance of the multi-layered midfield having the likes of Javi Lara, Borja Fernandez, Nadong Bhutia, Izumi Arata, and Ofentse Nato, and will expect more.
In team news, Arata is out with an injury and is likely to be replaced by Baljit Sahni, who is making a return after serving a two-match suspension.
