High flying FC Goa can move into second place if they win their third game in a row when they take on NorthEast United FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here Monday.
On the other hand, the NorthEast too can move up from sixth to third spot at the cost of Goa with a win.
Both sides are coming into the tie on a high, having tasted success in their last outings by impressive 3-0 margins at home, the Highlanders’ (NorthEast United) win being the more significant as they humbled league toppers Chennaiyin FC.
Joan Capdevila’s unfortunate sending off will, however, dent the prospects of Ricki Herbert’s side as they try to scale the ladder.
Statistics show the home team in good attacking light, having netted 14 times in the competition as compared to 10 by the Highlanders.
Goa lead in almost every attacking stat, having taken more shots (166-124), shots at goal (99-69) and naturally having a higher shots on goal percentage (60-56).
From a defensive point of view, NorthEast United seem to have performed marginally better. They have had more interceptions (348-309) and blocks (67-49). However, Gregory Arnolin, Youness Bengelloun and Bruno Pinheiro at centre half, have put in 257 tackles to the visitors’ 238.
Young Goan winger Romeo Fernandes will be the one to watch out for after garnering praise from Indian football great Bruno Coutinho for his stellar performances.
The pacy winger has the ability to outwit defenders with his mazy runs. His skill on and off the ball is immense and he will look to use this to get on to the score sheet for the second time in the tournament, having scored once already from a Andre Santos free kick.
Rehenesh T.P. will be the key for NorthEast United FC. The Indian goalkeeper has been an absolute rock for the Highlanders.
His reflexes and ability to read the game has been second to none as he has single-handedly kept his team in the running. He will have to be at his best to keep the most attacking side in the league at bay.
(IANS)