Khalid Jamil: We are thinking of a positive result against Odisha

The Highlanders' interim head coach is keen to end the season a winning note.

NorthEast United FC’s final away match of the Indian Super League will be against Odisha FC at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Friday. The club’s season hasn’t gone as per plan, with the Highlanders languishing second from bottom in the table and the team, subsequently, parting ways with former head coach Robert Jarni who was replaced on an interim basis by his assistant Khalid Jamil. Following Jarni’s departure, the pre-match press conference was attended by NorthEast’s interim head coach Khalid Jamil, who revealed that he wasn’t keen on making any drastic changes to the style put in place by Jarni. He said, “There isn’t going to be any change. The way Jarni left the team, we will continue from there. There is no time to implement something. There may be slight changes. We just want to give our best. We are going to try and give everything we have.” [KH_ADWORDS type="4" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS] Asked his opinion on what has been missing in the Highlanders’ season this term, Jamil answered, “Everyone tried. We just didn’t click. Everybody tried their best. I learnt a lot from Jarni. Football is like that. Someone has to go forward and someone has to stay behind. Next season we will try and do better.” Coming to the Odisha fixture, the 42-year-old said, “We are playing against a good team. It’s an away match. We will not take it lightly, but we are thinking of a positive result.” Winger Redeem Tlang was also in attendance at the media briefing, where he stated, “I think it will be a new experience for me. We have to cope with it (Jarni’s departure). We have to continue moving forward. We cannot look back at the past. Hopefully, we can win and finish as high as possible.” [KH_RELATED_NEWS title="RELATED NEWS | ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS] Team News The Highlanders’ interim head coach has informed that his side will be without the services of multiple players against Odisha. “We have many injuries. Mislav (Komorski) will be missing. Nikhil (Kadam), (Provat) Lakra too. We only have 17 players to choose from. Definitely, we will try to give reserve players some chances,” he said. Head-to-Head The only time the two sides have met was in the early part of the season when the Highlanders won 2-1 against the new entrants. Probable Lineup Subhasish, Reagan, Heerings, Vaz, Pradhan, Ninthoi, Gallego, Leudo, Lalengmawia, Redeem, Keogh. Broadcast The match will be broadcast live from 7:30 PM on Friday on the Star Sports Network. It will also be streamed live on Hotstar and Jio TV.