Table-toppers East Bengal look to continue winning run against suprprise package NEROCA
(Courtesy : I-League Media)
The Red and Gold are on a winning streak since the Kolkata Derby while Saturday's hosts have very much held their own in the top flight.
Imphal city is going to witness another pulsating Hero I-League match between Kolkata powerhouse Kingfisher East Bengal and Neroca FC at Khuman Lampak Stadium, Imphal tomorrow (December 30, 2017).
It's going to be Neroca FC's second home match following their win over Chennai City FC on 15th December. While the Red & Golds are approaching the game with 13 points from 6 matches, the hosts Neroca FC are three points shy having played one match less.
Both teams are coming to this tie at the back of crucial wins away from their home and they won't let this opportunity go to finish 2017 on a winning note. Neroca overcame Northeastern rival Shillong Lajong 1-0 while Kingfisher East Bengal made Chennai City FC bite the dust at Coimbatore courtesy two strikes from Katsumi Yusa and Charles D'Souza.
Neroca FC head coach Gift Raikhan said at the press conference that he has already done with the strategy of tomorrow's match and now it's time to implement them on the pitch.
He said, "East Bengal is a very good team but Neroca FC is not less, it is completely our credit that we had drawn with Mohun Bagan and it gives us more confident to meet East Bengal tomorrow."
Also Read
Five books that documented Indian football perfectly in 2017
Top 6 star players who retired in 2017
Here's the list of the REVISED ISL 2018 fixtures. Check them out.
He further said, "Tomorrow's match will be very difficult, and also will be a very entertaining match, the home crowd will witness one of the best I-league matches tomorrow, the team will play like do or die for the sake of the people of Manipur."
On the other hand, Khalid Jamil, Kingfisher East Bengal coach mentioned that Neroca FC is also one of the good sides of the league but the table-toppers will do their best as the team and they'll approach the game as a do or die one.
He stated, "We don't think much about our previous matches, we don't want to recall what happened in our last game. Our sole focus is nothing but tomorrow's Neroca FC match."
"This match is very crucial, Neroca FC are also in very good form. Their foreign players are playing some really good football, but we have our own strategy in place to overcome Neroca FC."
The match is scheduled for kick-off at 02:00 PM and it'll be telecast live on Star Sports 2, 2 HD and streamed live on Hotstar, Jio TV.
[KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]
- Santosh Trophy 2024-25: Full fixtures, schedule, results, standings & more
- ISL 2024-25: Full fixtures, schedule, results, standings & more
- Juan Pedro Benali reveals half-time team talks after NorthEast United's comeback win against Hyderabad FC
- ISL 2024-25: Updated Points Table, most goals, and most assists after match 77, Hyderabad FC vs NorthEast United FC
- Santosh Trophy 2024: Jammu & Kashmir and Manipur grab easy wins
- ISL 2024-25: Full fixtures, schedule, results, standings & more
- Juan Pedro Benali reveals half-time team talks after NorthEast United's comeback win against Hyderabad FC
- Punjab FC's Ivan Novoselec ruled out for extended period following injury
- Chennaiyin FC's top three players in 2024
- Kerala Blasters' T.G. Purushothaman highlights performances of these players after win against Mohammedan SC