GUWAHATI, Nov 19: NorthEast United FC and Mumbai City FC need to put the horror of their last round losses behind them if they are to entertain any hopes of qualifying for the semifinals in the Hero Indian Super League.
NorthEast United FC lost to Kerala Blasters 1-4 at home and Mumbai City FC were hammered 0-7 by FC Goa in their previous games as they look to bounce back in a 11th round clash in Guwahati on Friday.
�All teams in the ISL are very hungry and need wins, except for Goa. Every team is in the hunt for victories and that will make games very emotional. Teams who make the best of such emotions will emerge victorious. As we reach the final stretch, every game is a decisive one,� NorthEast United coach Cesar Farias said at the pre-match media briefing. NorthEast United are slightly better placed at the fifth spot with 13 points from 10 matches while Mumbai City are in sixth position with 12 points from 10 matches.
Mumbai City lost by a record margin in the last game but Farias seemed more sympathetic.
�Mumbai had three days rest after their last game and Goa had nine days. You can see the difference and how the player performs. Against Kerala (Blasters), we played after three tough away matches. We had also played a match in tough conditions (in Chennai). These are small details but have a big impact on the performance,� said the former Venezuela manager.
Mumbai City FC marquee player-manager Nicolas Anelka did not mince words about his team�s shambolic performance against Goa. �Everything was wrong. I watched the game this morning; we did not do anything to win the game. We did not even try to do something. 7-0 was fair (result),� said Anelka.
Fortunately for Mumbai City FC they have hardly any time to ponder on their loss as the crucial clash against NorthEast comes soon enough.
�I look at this as a good opportunity because we do not have to think too much about the game. We have to concentrate on the next game. It will be good only if we comeback with a result. If we lose, it will be worse than the loss against Goa. It�s good to play straightway,� said the former Chelsea and Real Madrid striker. � Agency
