High-flying Northeast will take on Goa to continue its winning streak in Indian Football League 2020-21. Victory can take both sides to the third spot.
Match Timings: Feb 04, 7:30 PM IST
Pitch Report
Northeast got its form back and in the last three weeks, they have changed the playoffs game. Highlanders are coming off three consecutive wins and with 21 points, they stand fifth in the table, behind Goa on goal difference. They are just one win away to upstage Hyderabad from the third spot. Highlanders made a league double over strong Mumbai and they are the only team in 2020-21, who defeated Sergio Lobero’s side. They did it twice in the tournament which is remarkable.
Northeast was in good touch from the starting of the first half. Former Bengaluru forward Deshorn Brown scored an early goal through a superb volley and later, he completed his brace with another goal in just the 9th minute from Federico Gallego’s corner-kick. Subhasish Roy Chowdhury was also sharp in the nets with making few saves for Highlanders. Bartholomew Ogbeche’s one good shot also went wide before the cooling break. Islanders found their first goal through Adam Le Fondre who sent the ball into the net with a fine volley. Lobero’s men fought hard till the end and in stoppage-time, Subhasish Roy made one more save to deny the equaliser to Mehtab Singh. Highlanders broke Mumbai’s 12-matches unbeaten streak and with this win, Northeast kept its hope high for the playoffs.
Meanwhile, Goa has been consistent in the top four but now, they are on the verge of losing the position. If Goa loses to the Northeast on Thursday, they will slip to the fifth spot with one point behind Hyderabad. Goa were held for a 1-1 draw with Bengal after taking an early lead. Gold and Reds were awarded a penalty in the very first minute but Anthony Pilkington couldn’t avail of this chance. Gaurs ensured the lead before the first half break. Igor Angulo scored his 10th goal of the season 2020-21. Danny Fox earned the equaliser in the 65th minute.
Edu Bedia was also sent off after securing the second yellow card for another rash challenge on Bright Enobakhare. Bedia will miss this fixture now. Goa would look for three points or a draw which will secure its chances in the top four. Bengaluru and Jamshedpur are also coming next to them and upcoming weeks will make changes in the points table. Both sides met on November 30 and first-half strikes from Angulo and Sylla ended the match in a draw. Goa had the upper hand in H2H games with five wins and six draws out of 13 fixtures. Highlanders’ last victory against the Gaurs was recorded in 2018 and Goa are unbeaten against Northeast from the last five matches.
Possible Lineups & Current From
Goa
Dheeraj Singh; Mohamed Ali, Saviour Gama, Adil Kha, Aiban Dohling, Alberto Noguera, Alexander Jesuraj, Princeton Rebello, Jorge Ortiz, Edu Bedia, Igor Angulo
Current Form: D D D W D
Previous Match: 1-1 darw with Bengal
Northeast
Subhashish Roy Chowdhury; Nim Dorjee Tamang, Mashoor Shereef, Benjamin Lambot, Provat Lakra, Khassa Camara, Lalenmawia, Federico Gallego, VP Suhair, Luis Machado, Deshorn Brown
Current Form: W W W D L
Previous Match: 2-1 victory over Mumbai
Key Players
Goa
Igor Angulo
10 goals in Indian Football League 2020-21
Jorge Mendoza
5 goals in Indian Football League 2020-21
Northeast
Luis Machado
4 goals in Indian Football League 2020-21
Deshorn Brown
3 goals in Indian Football League 2020-21
