Two playoffs contender Hyderabad and Northeast will lock horns in the Sunday night encounter of Indian Football League 2020-21. The winner will strengthen its position in the top four.
Match Timings: Feb 07, 7:30 PM IST
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The league-stage is in the final month and after this month, we will see four sides fighting out in the playoffs. Hyderabad and Northeast are the main contenders to take the third and four spots but they are getting a tough time from Goa. Bengaluru and Jamshedpur can also turn things around. Both sides separate each other on goal difference and three points can provide the third spot, ahead of three points to the fourth-placed side.
Northeast played a 2-2 draw in its previous tie after securing three consecutive wins. They made a league double over Mumbai this season. It’s a dream season for the Highlanders and they would eye the playoffs this season. Goa and Northeast both played top-class football. Gaurstook the lead in the 21st minute through a tap in from Romario. Highlanders created few chances and hard work paid off when they earned a penalty before the first half-break. In the 41st minute, a penalty strike from Federico Gallego earned Northeast an equaliser. Both sides canceled out each other in the second game. Goa regained the lead in the 80th minute, courtesy of an own goal from Gurinder Kumar.Northeast bettered its game and equalised in the 83rd minute through a one-more Federico Gallego penalty.
Gerard Nus was sacked last month and Khalid Jamil, the former I-League winning coach, was appointed as the interim manager. Since his take-over, Highlanders improved and they are now the playoff contender. Federico Gallego has also got his form. The Uruguayan midfielder netted a goal against the Mariners and controlled the game in the victory over Mumbai. In the last outing, he scored a brace through a penalty. He has scored three goals and provided one assist since Jamil took the charge of Highlanders.
Meanwhile, Hyderabad won the important clash with Chennai and kept the clean sheet as well. They broke the streak of four consecutive draws. Chennai missed out two easy sitters and it hurt Marina Machans to lose the game. In the 28th minute, Hyderabad took the lead through Fran Sanadaza’s goal. Colaco delivered a pass to Joao Victor in midfield. The Brazilian sent the ball to Sandaza, and he went past Tangri and got the better of Kaith. Despite having more possession in the game, Chennai couldn’t see its players' names on the scoresheet. Hyderabad’s second goal came in the 83rd minute. Joao Victor delivered the second assist of the season and Chianese gave a fine finishing from the far corner. Nizams have a strong hand in the playoffs and they are unbeaten in the last six matches. Hyderabad have a good chance to make a league double over Northeast as they edged past Highlanders 4-2 last month.
Possible Lineups & Current Form
Hyderabad
Laxmikant Kattimani, Asish Rai, Odei Onaindia, Chinglensana Singh, Akash Mishra, Joao Victor, Hitesh Sharma, Liston Colaco, Mohammed Yasir, Aridane Santana, Fran Sandaza
Current Form: W D D D D
Previous Match: 2-0 victory against Chennai
Northeast
Subhasish Roy (GK), Gurjinder Kumar, Ashutosh Mehta, Benjamin Lambot, Mashoor Shereef, Khassa Camara, Federico Gallego, Lalengmawia, Deshorn Brown, Luis Machado, Suhair Vadakkepeedika
Current Form: D W W W D
Previous Match: 2-2 draw with Goa
Key Players
Hyderabad
Aridane Santana
7 goals in Indian Football League 2020-21
Fran Sandaza
2 goals in Indian Football League 2020-21
Northeast
Federico Gallego
4 goals in Indian Football League 2020-21
Luis Machado
4 goals in Indian Football League 2020-21
