GUWAHATI, August 23: NorthEast United FC (NEUFC) will take on the Indian Army Football Team (IAFT), in the first quarter final of the 132nd Durand Cup at the Indira Gandhi Athletics Stadium here on Thursday. The match will kick off at 6.00pm.
The Highlanders have been impressive and are unbeaten in their competition so far. They scored nine goals in their group stage and conceded three, two of them in their 2-2 draw against the Gaurs. French playmaker and captain Romain Philippoteux and young striker Parthib Gogoi have been particularly impressive, the latter with four goals to his name so far including the tournament’s first hat-trick.
Spanish head coach Juan Pedro Ben Ali however was in no mood to take their quarter-final opponents lightly, saying before the game, “The Indian Army FT is very good. They topped the table and were unbeaten. They’re a physically strong side, can run relentlessly, and have a rock-solid defence, conceding only once. We need to be at our absolute best to reach the semi-finals.”
It is a fact that the IAFT have also remained unbeaten in the tournament and have been very determined in their campaign. They will also probably be at full-strength in the quarter-finals with key players like striker Liton Sil back after suspension and will also play with a lot of pride.
Anthony Ramesh, their coach said after pre-match training, “Tomorrow we are going to play quarter finals against North East united. We will give our best shot against an experienced team. We have prepared hard for tomorrow’s game. We will play best football and make sure that we win.”
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