ISL: NEUFC to face Bengaluru on Sunday

Online Staff/GUWAHATI, Feb, 21: NorthEast United FC head coach Juan Pedro Benali urged his players to be hungrier when they will take on Bengaluru FC in the their second match of ISL on Sunday. The match will be held at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium.
In the opening round, NorthEast United FC suffered a 3-0 defeat against East Bengal FC in Kolkata. Meanwhile, Bengaluru FC opened their campaign with a 2-0 home win against Sporting Club Delhi.
When asked what one thing he would prefer to rectify from the previous game, Benali expressed that his players need to give their all on the field. “
Be hungry. If you are playing against a high-quality team like Bengaluru FC, and you know that maybe there are qualities that are better than yours, you need to implement something different,” he said, before adding, “One of the biggest things we have is our spirit, our heart, our fight. In the end, you win, draw or lose, you should be able to look in the mirror and say, I did my job, and gave everything.”
NorthEast United FC custodian Gurmeet Singh, who delivered a string of crucial saves in the season opener, echoed the sentiments of Benali on how the team will approach the game, be aggressive on the field and keep on improving.
Once again, Gurmeet will be the last line of defence against Bengaluru FC. Ahead of him, captain Michel Zabaco will marshal the backline with Asheer Akhtar, Dinesh Singh, Redeem Tlang, Bekey Oram, Buanthanglun Samte, and Tondonba Singh.
The midfield will be anchored by Andy Rodriguez, who made his ISL debut in the previous game. Alongside him will be local boy Macarton Nickson and ever-reliable Mayakkannan.
The Highlanders' forward line will consist of India international Jithin MS, and India U-23 internationals — Parthib Gogoi, Thoi Singh and Danny Laishram. The summer signings — Spaniard Jairo Samperio, Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia and Lalbiakdika — will further boost Benali’s attacking options.