Preview: FC Goa look to end winless run against depleted NorthEast United

The Highlanders have lost each of their nine matches this ISL season.

FC Goa will face off against NorthEast United FC at the Fatorda Stadium on Saturday for their respective 10th match of the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL) 2022-23 season. The Highlanders are still in quest for their first victory of the campaign whereas the Gaurs are in pursuit of consolidating points for a top-six finish.

Goa routed Odisha FC 3-0 in their previous encounter whereas NorthEast United suffered a 7-3 thrashing in their last match against Chennaiyin FC on Saturday.

The Stakes

FC Goa

Goa might have regained some confidence after a convincing win against the Juggernauts. It is now high time that they begin putting the defeats that they suffered in the early part of the season behind them. Carlos Pena’s men have to make the most of the home games and the Highlanders, who have looked absolutely in tatters so far, are the kind of opposition against whom they would not like to lose points.

The likes of Chennaiyin FC and East Bengal can catch up with Goa in the latter half of the season and hence the Gaurs can ill-afford to lose track of the plot right now. 

NorthEast United

NorthEast United FC are in desperate lookout for a turnaround under the tutelage of newly-appointed head coach Vincenzo Alberto Annese. Nothing seems to be going right for them as of now but the only way from here is up. New tacticians tend to bring in fresh ideas that reinvigorate setups straightaway. At this point, the Highlanders will prefer the opportunity of riding on that wave, albeit for a short while, rather than seeing their season shatter completely in front of their eyes. 

Head-to-Head

Played – 16

FC Goa – 5

NorthEast United – 3

Draws – 8

Predicted Line-Ups

FC Goa (4-2-3-1)

Dheeraj Singh (GK), Seriton Fernandes, Marc Hernandez, Anwar Ali, Aibanbha Dohling, Ayush Chhetri, Glan Martins, Iker Guarrotxena, Brandon Fernandes, Noah Sadaoui, Alvaro Vazquez

NorthEast United (4-3-3)

Arindam Bhattacharya (GK), Joe Zoherliana, Gaurav Bora, Michael Jakobsen, Gurjinder Kumar, Romain Philippoteaux, Jon Gaztanaga, Emmanuel Lalchhanchhuaha, Parthib Gogoi, Matt Derbyshire, Jithin MS

Player to Watch

Noah Sadaoui (FC Goa)

Noah Sadaoui was in sublime form for the Gaurs in the last game, scoring a goal and setting up two others. He has netted five times and notched three assists in nine appearances so far this season. The dynamic forward runs the game for Goa in the frontline, often initiating and breaking attacking moves and even managing to get into the end of key passes to put the ball in the back of the net.

The 29-year-old will be entrusted with orchestrating the attacking moves in the final third and he will back himself to come out good against a flailing opponent like NorthEast United FC. 

Gurjinder Kumar (NorthEast United)

Gurjinder Kumar was the only player who showed some substance in the backline in NorthEast’s shambolic 7-3 loss against Chennaiyin. The left-back will fancy his chances of faring well under the stewardship of a new coach.

He has shown some sturdiness whilst defending and certain creativity whilst moving up in the flank – something that can hold the Highlanders in good stead as they embark on a challenging second half of the ISL campaign.

Did You Know? 

• NorthEast United have created the second least number of goal-scoring opportunities (55) this season so far. 
• FC Goa have recorded the second-most number of successful passes (3304) in the league in the current campaign. 
• NorthEast United’ new coach Anesse had led Gokulam Kerala to the I-League title in 2020-21 and 2021-22. 

Telecast

The match between FC Goa and NorthEast United FC will take place at the Fatorda Stadium, Goa on December 17 (Friday). The kick-off time is 7:30 pm IST. The game will be telecasted live on the Star Sports Network. Disney+HotStar and JioTV will also stream the match.