NorthEast United FC aim to seal playoff berth

Our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: NorthEast United FC will look to seal their Indian Super League (ISL 2024-25) playoff berth when they face Chennaiyin FC away at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Monday.

The Highlanders have 32 points from 22 games and a victory in Chennai will ensure their playoff spot. In his pre-match press conference, Assistant Coach Naushad Moosa expressed that the team is focused on the game ahead.

“Chennai has nothing to lose. We have to control our emotions and stay focused. What is important is we play good football. We must stick to our plans and give our best till the final whistle and the result will follow,” he said.

“Every player knows the importance of the game, we (coaching staff) don’t have to tell them. In the training we can see how focused they are. We can see that they want to go out there and win,” he added.

Moroccan forward Alaaeddine Ajaraie has had a sensational season so far and has rewritten many ISL records. His brace against Jamshedpur FC made him the player with the most goals (20) and most goal contributions (25). Having scored against the same opposition in the reverse fixture, Ajaraie would be eager to add to his kitty of goals.

Ajaraie has been well-aided by goals by Guillermo Fernandez (5), Nestor Albiach (4) and Parthib Gogoi (2) as the Highlanders are one of the highest-scoring sides in the league. The midfield trio of Macarton Nickson, Mohammed Ali Bemammer and Mayakkannan have backed the forwards with their domination in the middle of the park.

Gurmeet Singh has been imperious in the goal this season, pulling off 61 saves and keeping six clean sheets. In front of him, captain Michel Zabaco has led the backline of Redeem Tlang, Asheer Akhtar and Buanthanglun Samte to keep the defence watertight.

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