Road to semi-finals: Further history awaits buzzing NorthEast
Eelco Schattorie and his NorthEast United FC players carved their name in the club’s history by becoming the first Highlanders squad to qualify for the semi-finals of the Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL).
Eelco Schattorie and his NorthEast United FC players carved their name in the club’s history by becoming the first Highlanders squad to qualify for the semi-finals of the Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL). It’s fair to say that not many could have foreseen this event 12 months ago when the Guwahati-based club finished at the bottom of the table. However, the turnaround has been quite extraordinary, and exemplifies why one shouldn’t ever give up. Ahead of their monumental match against Bengaluru FC, we take a brief look back at their league campaign.
A final few nervy moments and then the celebrations! 🙌🏻🍾😍
— NorthEast United FC (@NEUtdFC) February 23, 2019
Highlanders, we are into the playoffs for the first time in our history! ⚽#8States1United #StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/gTrp2y48ND
Form over the season:
Following a dismal 2017-18 campaign, the Highlanders hierarchy took a bold and unprecedented step of promoting Schattorie as the first team coach. The Dutchman had worked with the squad before and knew what was needed to make them competitive. He was helped by a good summer window where notable names like Bartholomew Ogbeche and Mislav Komorski were brought in.
Both players made instant impact with Ogbeche grabbing a debut goal in the opening match of their season. Schattorie’s men followed it up with a 1-0 away success to ATK, part of an impressive five-match unbeaten run which also included a stunning 4-3 over defending champions, Chennaiyin FC. Ogbeche was the star of the show, scoring the second-fastest hat-trick in the Hero ISL.
Their first loss under the Dutchman came in a 0-1 loss at home to Mumbai City FC, although it didn’t really affect their rhythm. Two consecutive wins against Kerala Blasters FC and FC Pune City in the succeeding fixtures got them as high as the summit of the table with more and more people beginning to take note of their surge. December would however, ring warning bells in Guwahati after the culmination of three draws and a damaging 1-5 loss to FC Goa within 15 days.
That meant a nervy second-half of the season followed with the Highlanders now part of a multi-team scramble for the final four. A narrow win and a loss in the first two matches since the restart meant the gap between them and the chasing pack grew even shorter. Fatigue too began to settle in with questions being asked of the depth the Highlanders squad possessed.
Reverting to clever changes in formation and making do with whatever personnel were available, Schattorie went on to give a glittering testament of his managerial ability to help mastermind a fantastic 2-0 away win over Mumbai City FC, which largely sealed his team’s safe passage through to the semi-finals.
Key players
Despite being entirely new to the Hero ISL, Ogbeche took very little time in acquainting himself with his team-mates and surroundings. The Nigerian is the third-highest scorer with 12 goals from 17 matches and has an assist to his name as well. The striker mirrors the principles of his boss and is well-capable of leading the line on his own.
While Ogbeche heads the goalscoring department, 28-year-old Gallego looks after the playmaking section of the Highlanders’ well-knit unit. The Uruguayan’s five assists is the joint third-highest in the league so far, while the four goals against his name makes impressive reading for a midfielder. With Bengaluru being home to one of the best defences in the league, Gallego’s nimble footwork and ability to pick a pass would go a long way in helping the Highlanders achieve their objectives.
One of the first names on the team sheet, Borges has been a silent hero in NorthEast’s rise to prominence. The midfielder’s tireless running and ability to go box-to-box has helped Schattorie try out different combinations in midfield. Improvements have been made at the attacking end of the pitch too with Borges scoring and assisting vital goals throughout the season.
Semi-finals fixtures:
NorthEast United FC vs Bengaluru FC
Date: March 7, 2019
Venue: Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati
Bengaluru FC vs NorthEast United FC
Date: March 11, 2019
Venue: Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru
Check the full fixtures list here.
