Indian Super League
Guwahati, Feb 12: NorthEast United FC will look to return to winning ways on Thursday when they travel to Jamshedpur to face Jamshedpur FC in their Indian Super League (ISL 2024-25) match.
The Highlanders come into the match after suffering a 2-0 home defeat against Mumbai City FC. They are currently sixth in the standing with 29 points from 20 games and a win would see them consolidate their play-offs berth.
In the reverse fixture between NorthEast United FC and Jamshedpur FC, the Highlanders had a thumping 5-0 victory.
NorthEast United FC’s head coach Juan Pedro Benali expressed that his team must be wary of their opponent, who would seek revenge.
Moroccan forward Alaaeddine Ajaraie stands on the cusp of a historic ISL campaign. To put it into perspective, he has scored 18 goals and has provided five assists (Total 23 goal contributions) in 20 outings.
He is on par with Ferran Corominas and Bartholomew Ogbeche for the most goals scored in a single ISL season. He’s also level with Corominas in terms of the maximum goal contributions (23) in a season.
Should Ajaraie score, he will have the record for the most goals in a single ISL season.
A goal or a goal contribution will see the record for most goal contributions tumble at Ajaraie’s feet.
“Team makes a player. Every player in the team is equally important. If defenders are not hard on him in the training and make him work hard, he will not be able to deliver it in the field.
This is football, not tennis or badminton. The point is, it’s never about one player, always about the team,” Benali added.
Phalguni Singh, who is making a comeback after an injury layoff, expressed that he is happy to be back on the field, ready to help the team at this crucial juncture of the season and the team is targeting nothing but three points on the road. (ISL Media)
