NorthEast United FC vs Sreenidi Deccan Preview - Team news, lineups | IFA Shield 2026
The Highlanders will kickstart their campaign on 26th September
NorthEast United FC are ready to lock horns against the Indian Football League (IFL) side Sreenidi Deccan FC in their opening IFA Shield fixture on 26th September, 2026, at 14:30 IST, as the game between these two clubs will be a vital clash from a points table perspective after the IFL side got a defeat in their opening clash against Mohun Bagan.
Sreenidi Deccan, who got thrashed by the Kolkata outfit in the IFA Shield 2026 opener with a massive score of 6-0 are all set to battle it out in their final group game when they will face two-time Durand Cup champions NorthEast United FC, as the venue has not yet been confirmed by the Indian Football Association.
The Stakes
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NorthEast United FC
The opening clash is poised to happen for the Highlanders when they take on Sreenidi Deccan FC in their IFA Shield 2026 opener, after a premature elimination by Mohun Bagan during the Durand Cup 2026, this could be a good stage for Pedro Benali to test the squad he and the management recruited before the Indian Super League 2026-27 season.
Against Sreenidi Deccan, who has built by far the best squad to contest in the IFL 2026-27 season, this will be a stern test for NorthEast. With a good foreign core and a young team, they are lined up to square off against them and are looking to play attacking football with multiple transitions and also give more outings to their forwards.
Sreenidi Deccan FC
After a disappointing defeat away from home against Mohun Bagan, now the southern side are all in to take on NorthEast United FC, following the game, surely marking the final group stage fixture for them, and a win is what they needed the most to survive in the race.
They need to play calm and composed football against The Highlanders and also seek to adjust the defensive shape, which was wide open when they faced the Mariners and conceded six goals, not only in the defence but also in the attack; they lacked creativity.
Team News
Both sides will have most of their players who will be set to field for the opening game.
Head-to-Head
This game will be the first meeting between the two sides.
Predicted Lineups
Sreenidi Deccan FC (4-4-2):
Kamaljit Singh (GK), Pritam Kotal, Hadi Idrissou, Gurmukh Singh, Abhash Thapa, Pronay Halder, Pape Gassama, Adriano Castanheira, Jerry Mawihmingthanga, David Castañeda, Fabrice Kah
NorthEast United FC (4-2-3-1)
Gurmeet Singh (GK), Asheer Akhtar (C), Eneko, Rabeeh, Samte, Macarton, Maya, Moyano, Ajaraie, Ethyan, Jithin.
Players to Watchout
Alaaeddine Ajaraie (NEUFC)
Alaaeddine Ajaraie is the most influential player in the history of NorthEast United FC’s footballing history, as he led the team by example with his return from the short loan spell, guiding his side to the Durand Cup 2026 semi-finals is not an easy task. But for Alaaeddine, scoring goals in tough situations and bringing the result are key points, as he is lethal in front of goal and against a defensively feeble team like Sreenidi, this could be a great opportunity to bag the goals and also register an opening victory to gain momentum.
Apart from everyone, Eneko Satrustegui will be very important for NorthEast United FC heading into the clash against Sreenidi Deccan, with Eneko, Alaaeddine Ajaraie, having found his actual mirror form as he left the Durand Cup 2026 campaign with the Golden Boot award by scoring the most goals.
Pronay Halder (Sreenidi Deccan)
With immense experience in the bag, the former India international midfielder, who even featured 24 times for the Blue Tigers, Pronay Halder can make a big difference against NorthEast United FC. As he has the experience of playing Kolkata football all over his life, he can be vital for Antonio Rueda to dictate the middle of the park, as he also started against Mohun Bagan in the first game.
Broadcast details
NorthEast United FC are ready to lock horns against the Indian Football League (IFL) side Sreenidi Deccan FC in their opening IFA Shield fixture on 26th September, 2026, at 14:30 IST,
The match between the Highlanders & Sreenidi Deccan in The IFA Shield 2026, will be broadcasted live on the FanCode app and website.
The rest of the IFA Shield 2026 matches will also be live streamed on the FanCode app and website.
When will NorthEast United FC face Sreenidi Deccan FC in the IFA Shield 2026?
NorthEast United FC will face Sreenidi Deccan FC on 26 September 2026. The match is scheduled to kick off at 2:30 PM IST.
Where can fans watch NorthEast United FC vs Sreenidi Deccan?
The match will be live streamed on the FanCode app and website.
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