New Delhi: Punjab FC will look to maintain their perfect home record as they will host NorthEast United FC tomorrow here at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium as the Indian Super League resumes after the international break. The Shers have won all their four matches played at the venue and Panagiotis Dilmperis’s men will look to maintain their record against the third placed Highlanders. The match will have an early kick-off and is scheduled to kick-off at 5 PM.
Speaking about playing after a long break, PFC Head Coach Panagiotis Dilmperis said, “It is not the first time we will be having a game after a long break. We have trained with focus and adjusted to the demands of tomorrow’s game and hopefully we can manage the long break.” “NorthEast is a similar team to us and both teams approach football with the same mentality. We have to take advantage of our strengths and neutralise the strengths of the opposition. We have to remain disciplined and this I believe is the secret of tomorrow’s game”, Coach said while asked about the opponents for tomorrow’s game.
Punjab FC went down to FC Goa 2-1 in their previous fixture at Fatorda while NorthEast United were held 2-2 by Chennaiyin FC at home. Both teams currently have 12 points but Punjab have played two matches less and occupy the sixth position in the table. A win for either team will see them move to second place in the table, just two points away from league leaders Bengaluru FC.
The Shers will be bolstered by the return of Filip Mrzljak who missed the last match due to injury. Defender Ivan Novoselec is also fit to play after he was taken off in the second half against Goa due to hurting his ankle.
PFC Midfielder Vinit Rai during the pre-match press conference said, “The season has been going really well for everyone in the side. We are not going to settle for what we have achieved now and we will keep working hard until the end of the season. I would like to score more and provide more assists but I will put my team in front and help the team succeed. We are defending and attacking as a team who win and lose as a team and stay together under all circumstances and we hope to win all three points tomorrow.”
Last season, both teams played out a 1-1 draw at New Delhi while the Shers got the better of NorthEast by a solitary goal in Guwahati.
NorthEast United have been brilliant in their attacking play this season, scoring 19 goals in eight games, the highest in the league. Moroccan forward Alaaeddine Ajaraie has been scoring goals for fun, thumping in 11 goals. On the other end, the Highlanders have also conceded 14 goals which has led to them losing points from winning positions.
As the top of the points table continues to remain tight, three points will be important for both teams to remain inside the qualifier places.
