NorthEast United FC will look to get back to winning ways when they face Hyderabad FC on Monday at the Gachibowli Stadium during their Indian Super League (ISL 2024-25) clash.
The Highlanders are determined to set the records straight after unfavourable results despite a valiant effort in their last two games. Juan Pedro Benali’s men are 8th in the table with 15 points and a victory on the road could earn them a spot in the top six. Hyderabad are 12th in the standing with 7 points from 11 games.
“We’ve been preparing well for a while… For us, it’s important (to win). Every game is important, we don’t look at who we are playing against. When we play, we need to win, we need the points. At this moment, it’s important to be not far from the top,” Juan Pedro Benali said.
The Highlanders may not have found the back of the net in their last two fixtures, a fast start has been the hallmark of Benali’s side, having netted 8 times in the opening 15 minutes of the match.
The club’s Moroccan striker Alaaeddine Ajaraie has been in red-hot form and leads the race for the Golden Boot with 11 goals from as many matches. Should Ajaraie score against Hyderabad FC, he would match the record of Bartholomew Ogbeche’s record of the most goals in a single ISL season for NorthEast United FC.
However, the Highlanders boast the likes of Jithin MS, Parthib Gogoi, Thoi Singh, Ankith P, Nestor Albiach and Guillermo Fernandez in the ranks, who along with Ajaraie have contributed to the 21 goals that the team has scored so far.
NorthEast United FC’s custodian Gurmeet Singh, 25, has been in sensational form this season and has pulled off some stunning saves. The Haryana lad would be keen to put on another show against his former side. In front of Gurmeet, the NEUFC back line has been solid with the likes of Asheer Akhtar, Dinesh Singh, and Buanthanglun Samte putting in solid performances.
When asked about what the team is expecting from the Hyderabad FC game, the team’s midfielder Macarton had a one-word answer: WIN! Come Monday, Juan Pedro Benal’s men would look to do exactly that – another impressive away performance and three points in the bag!
Photo Courtesy: Northeast United FC
