Chennai, Apr 9:
Chennaiyin FC will play hosts to NorthEast United FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium here in the Indian Super League (ISL) match on Tuesday at 7:30 pm IST.
This is a game that will have a straightforward impact in deciding the sixth team that will qualify for the ISL playoffs. East Bengal FC, Chennaiyin FC, and NorthEast United FC are the three teams vying for that final vacant spot to secure a place in the top-six. Given that two of these teams are squaring off against each other so late in the season, it gives both of them a chance to run away with this golden opportunity fronted to them.
The Marina Machans have 24 points whereas the Highlanders have 23 from 20 games each. They are placed seventh and eighth in the standings respectively. A win here will take Chennaiyin FC into the top-six for the time being, beating East Bengal FC (24 points from 21 games) by two points. Similarly, a victory will help NorthEast United FC to edge past the Red & Gold Brigade temporarily.
Needless to say, there’s a lot at stake in this encounter, which will be crucial in determining the prospects of both teams who have sparked a comeback this campaign under the aegis of a new head coach after disappointing seasons last time around.
Chennaiyin FC have produced a late surge towards the playoffs, winning their last two games on the bounce. Inconsistencies have riddled their run this year, having failed to win three matches on a trot so far. The last time they won thrice in a row in the ISL was back in February 2023. However, head coach Owen Coyle will take confidence from his record against the Highlanders, boasting of a 57.1% win rate against them in his seven face-offs against the club.
Only against the Mohun Bagan Super Giant has Coyle notched a better success rate so far, i.e. 67%. They have been successful in breaking attacks of the opposition in the middle, whilst simultaneously being watchful of their discipline as well.
Rahim Ali of Chennaiyin FC scored the winner in the last game of the Marina Machans against Jamshedpur FC, demonstrating sublime footwork and decisiveness inside the box. The forward has struck twice and assisted once, and has made 37 touches in the box of the opposition.
“After the last two games, I say this is the time to be consistent, this is the time to step up. It’s not about how you start, it’s about how you finish. We have a great opportunity to achieve the playoffs spots,” Chennaiyin FC Head Coach Owen Coyle said in the pre-match press conference.
“We have a final tomorrow. It won’t be easy. Chennaiyin FC is a tough, strong, physical team, with very good technical players, and a great coach! Both of us know each other very well, so it should be a special game,” NorthEast United FC Head Coach Juan Pedro Benali said prior to the game
