Indian Football League

Match 60: FCG vs. NEUFC

Preview

It is the master versus the apprentice in the Indian Football League today as Khalid Jamil, the apprentice is all set to challenge Derrek Pereira in a battle of two Indian Coaches. The match is not just important for both these teams but for Indian football as well. Ever since the new league came into existence, no team appointed an Indian coach until last year when NorthEast had to as they fired their coach and Khalid was the only choice available because of the Covid protocol. The manager did a brilliant job and helped the Highlanders reach the semis whether they lost to green and maroon brigade. Derrek took charge of Goa in a very unexpected circumstance. Their former coach Juan Ferrando left the club for Mohun Bagan and Goa appointed Perreira to take charge. Thus, for the first time in Indian Football League history, we are going to see a clash between two Indian coaches. However, who has the upper edge? Let’s dissect –

Well, nothing is working for these two sides. NorthEast are 10th in the table while Goa are 9th in the table. Speaking about the highlanders first, they have a lot to look forward to. They have announced the signing of Marcelinho from Rajasthan United and the Brazilian will be very key for the success of the team. He has done very well for all his former teams and he is a legend of Indian football for sure. Unfortunately, Khassa Camara has left the club to join his country for the ongoing African Tournament. Khalid in the recent press conference has said that all the foreigners will be available from the 13th of the season. Thus, against Goa, the team might just have to suffer a bit. A player who can change that is Deshorn Brown. He scored a brilliant brace in the last match against Jamshedpur and the Highlanders will be looking forward to him for some kind of success against the Gaurs. Along with him, Partrick Flotmann will be key. He is the heart of NEUFC’s defence and to stop the likes of Jorge Ortiz and others, the defender needs to step up and deliver for his team if the club has to change their fortune in the second leg of the tournament.

Before challenging the Gaurs, Coach Khalid Jamil in the pre match press conference said, “They have changed quite a lot because a new coach has come. Derrick sir is doing a good job. They played well in their last match, and talking about the team, they played well too, they’re playing with a new formation. The last game, they trained only for one day and they won; they have quality players, so we have to be alert and it’s not going to be like the last time we played against them. Definitely, it’s a different game, we are playing in their ground, we have to be careful, and we have to go according to our plan”.

Speaking about his plan and ambition for the second leg of the tournament, the coach said, “Coming to the second leg, we need a good start. For that, I want to say that our technical director Ohad [Efrat], who is from Israel, was also with us last year. I have done good because of him, last year we got good results because of him. He’s young, experienced and we share a good working experience”.

The Gaurs will be desperate for the win. With just 5 points shy from the top four race, the Gaurs are expected to give their all and challenge for the spot. They are arguably the one of the most consistent sides of the league and they have a fighting spirit in their blood. They have signed young Indian defender Anwar Ai, who has a lot of potential and the youngster has done reasonably well in the last match. He will be on target as Deshown Brown can be a huge threat to their defence. After the arrival of Anwar, Gaurs maintained their first clean sheet of the tournament and it thus proves how important he is going to be. The commanding officer of the ship is, however, going to Jorge Ortiz. The Spaniard has scored in the last three games and he will be key for the Gaurs to get a result against the Highlanders. In order for Gaur’s comeback into the top flight, they need to target this match. This should be the beginning of their journey.

Coach Derrek Perriera in the pre match conference has expressed his happiness as two Indian coaches are all set to clash tonight. He said, “I’m happy that Indian coaches are getting the opportunity to coach in the league and it’s a good exposure for all the coaches. With more exposure and experience, the coaches will get better. There’s no comparison made to foreign coaches, but I think given an opportunity, you’ll see a lot of other foreign coaches also. It’s up to an individual as to how far he wants to go, to learn the tricks of the trade, to work at the highest level”.

Speaking about Anwar Ali, the coach said, “He has been with the team for quite some time, training with the team. Last match was his first match, he put up a good performance and I believe he can still raise his level. The more he plays, the better and sharper he’ll get and there are areas of improvement where I’m sure he’ll do better”.

FCG vs. NEUFC Predicted Line Ups

FCG - Naveen Kumar, Anwar Ali, Ivan Gonzalez, Aiban Dohling, Seriton Fernandes, Saviour Gama, Muhammed Nemil, Glan Martins, Edu Bedia, Alberto Noguera, Jorge Ortiz

NEUFC - Mirshad Michu, Provat Lakra, Mashoor Shereef, Patrick Flottmann, Tondonba Singh, Pragyan Gogoi, Hernan Santana, Imran Khan, Suhair Vadakkepeedika, William Lalnunfela, Deshorn Brown

Match Prediction -

As two Indian coaches take charge tonight, expect them to go at each other right from the first whistle. Goa however, will be having the upper hand and expect them to get all the three points as they are showing signs to get back into shape. The Highlanders are a good team but a lot depends on Deshorn Brown.

Suggested Playing XI for the Match