NorthEast United FC will look to extend their unbeaten run to six games when they face Kerala Blasters FC on the road in their Indian Super League (ISL 2024-25) clash at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi here Saturday.
The Highlanders are on 24 points from 16 games and can consolidate their spot in the top six of the league table with three points on the road. They come into the game on the back of a thrilling 1-1 draw at home against FC Goa.
India international Jithin MS, who is one of the leading assist providers (5 assists) in the league, scored his first goal of the season against FC Goa. NorthEast United FC’s head coach Juan Pedro Benali spoke about the pressure and expectations that the team has from Jithin, who was named MVP of the Durand Cup at the start of the season.
“We always expect a lot from Jithin. There was no pressure on him before he went to the national team. After he came back from the national team, I was asking him for more, everyone was asking him for more,” Benali said.
“Jithin is such a nice guy and a very good player. We need to give him that freedom to express himself. Let him play, let him express himself, let him do what he does the best ie scoring, assisting, running and dribbling,” Benali further added.
Alaaeddine Ajaraie, who assisted Jithin’s goal in the previous game, became the first player this season to reach 20 goal contributions (15 goals and 5 assists). The Moroccan has been in sensational form this season and did score against Kerala Blasters FC in the reverse fixture in Guwahati.
Along with Jithin and Ajaraie, Parthib Gogoi (2 goals, 3 assists), Guillermo Fernandez (4 goals), and Nestor Albiach (4 goals) have contributed to goal-scoring as NorthEast United FC are the highest-scoring side (31 goals) in the league.
Left-back Buanthanglun Samte has created the most number of chances for NorthEast United with 31 chances so far. He’s the only Indian player and the defender in the top-10 list for the most chances created. Along with him, Redeem Tlang, Asheer Akhtar and captain Michel Zabaco have put in solid performances in front of custodian Gurmeet Singh.
Come Saturday, NorthEast United FC will look to gain maximum points from their first away trip of the year and consolidate their position in the top six of the table.
