Kolkata : NorthEast United will face Odisha FC at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati at 17:00 IST.
The Highlanders currently sit seventh in the standings with six points, coming off a thrilling 2-1 comeback win over a high-flying Jamshedpur FC.
Conversely, Odisha FC arrive in Guwahati desperately seeking redemption. The Juggernauts remain ninth in the table with two points after suffering a heavy 1-5 defeat to Mohun Bagan SG in their last outing.
The two sides share a highly competitive history in the ISL. In their 22 previous meetings, Odisha FC hold a slight edge with nine victories to NorthEast United’s seven, alongside six draws. Their most recent encounter produced an entertaining 2-2 stalemate, setting the stage for another closely-contested battle as both teams look to tip the historic scales in their favour.
Speaking ahead of their home fixture, NorthEast United FC head coach Juan Pedro Benali urged his team to stay resilient despite the impending challenge. “Champions are not the ones who only win trophies for me. A champion is the one who falls down, stands up, and fights again. That’s life, that’s football,” Benali stated. “We will miss important players, yes, but life continues. We have to stand up, trust ourselves, and keep fighting for every point, especially at home.”
Highlanders’ midfielder Bekey Oram expressed his readiness to step up and deliver for the team. “I just follow the coach’s game plan and trust the team. Playing with experienced players makes everything easier, and for me, NorthEast United is my home now – whenever I get the chance, I will give my best and try to score for the team.”
Odisha FC head coach T.G. Purushothaman, on the other hand, emphasised the need for an immediate and strong reaction from his squad. “It was a tough result in the last game, but we’ve taken the learnings, addressed our weaknesses, and prepared well for this challenge,” Purushothaman said. “Even with a few injury concerns, we believe in the strength of our squad, and the aim is to respond with a strong performance and secure a positive result for our fans.”
Echoing his coach’s determination to bounce back, Odisha FC midfielder Lalthathanga Khawlhring added, “We are focused on giving our best and getting three points before the break. The team is motivated, and with the continued support from our fans – whether at the stadium or from afar – we are ready to put in a strong performance for them.”
