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ISL: MCFC vs NEUFC: Preview, Timing, Live Streaming, Where to Watch: Play-off spot at stake as Mumbai face NorthEast

The stakes will be as high as ever when Mumbai City FC host NorthEast United FC as the race for the Hero Indian Super League play-offs gets closer at the Mumbai Football Arena here on Wednesday (February 13).

Mumbai will look to collect full points at home. Credit: ISL Media

Mumbai, February 12: The stakes will be as high as ever when Mumbai City FC host NorthEast United FC as the race for the Hero Indian Super League play-offs gets closer at the Mumbai Football Arena here on Wednesday (February 13).

Stuttering start for Mumbai

Stuttering start for Mumbai

The teams enjoyed strong runs before the league took a break for the Asian Cup 2019, but they have have stuttered of late since the resumption. After two losses on the bounce against FC Goa and Jamshedpur FC, what seemed like a certain qualification for Jorge Costa's men does not look so straightforward anymore with the teams below them climbing up the table.

They are now second with 27 points but NorthEast are just three points behind in fourth place.

Costa keen to grab full points at home

Costa keen to grab full points at home

"I will not change the way that we wish to play. They (NorthEast United) have very good players and are a very aggressive team. In terms of organization, one of the best teams in India. We need to give our best. We want to finish the game and have three points," said Costa, who will miss captain Lucian Goian after picking up his fourth yellow card.

Three league games remain for Mumbai to reignite their campaign and a win against the Highlanders will go a long way in sealing a berth in the last four. With the clash against NorthEast being Mumbai's last home game of the season, Costa will be keen to take maximum points before the tricky away clashes against ATK and FC Pune City.

Play-off qualification in jeopardy

Play-off qualification in jeopardy

NorthEast United, on the other hand, started the season on fire under new coach Eelco Schattorie but have gone off track in recent times with just one win to show in their last seven matches.

Schattorie's men currently occupy fourth place on the league table but with Jamshedpur FC and ATK hot on their heels, play-off qualification seems to be in jeopardy with three games remaining.

"It is all or nothing. I told my players that the phase you are going into now is a phase that is done within a second. Your mindset needs to be completely different from that at the beginning of the season. You cannot afford to make mistakes, especially at this stage because now Jamshedpur FC is very close and ATK a little bit away. How to win is not important, we need three points," said Schattorie.

Double-edged sword

Double-edged sword

Among the current top five teams in the table, the Highlanders have been the least prolific in front of goal with 19 goals in their 15 games so far. The side have been highly reliant on Nigerian striker Bartholomew Ogbeche and Uruguayan attacker Federico Gallego who have together combined for 15 of NorthEast United's 19 goals.

The recent 1-1 draw against Delhi Dynamos at home was not the result Schattorie's men would have wanted with the playoffs race as tight as ever. Injuries to players like Mislav Komorski have not helped Schattorie either.

Wednesday's clash will be a double-edged sword for both teams with a victory for either being a huge step towards playoff qualification. A loss, though, could leave them with too much to do in the end.


Match kicks off at 7:30pm IST

Live on Star Sports Network

Live Streaming on Hotstar


Source: ISL Media

Story first published: Tuesday, February 12, 2019, 18:25 [IST]
Other articles published on Feb 12, 2019