NorthEast United FC head coach Juan Pedro Benali shifted his attention to the playoffs after his team brushed aside ten-man East Bengal FC 4-0 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Saturday.

The Highlanders climbed to third spot in the table, a place that will guarantee a home tie in the playoff round, but Benali’s team will need Jamshedpur FC to lose their final game against Chennaiyin FC to be able to play their playoff match in Shillong.

The Spaniard suggested that his team would be ready for all possibilities.

“There are three teams on 38 points and we are third due to superior goal difference. But Bengaluru and Jamshedpur have one game left,” he said during the post-match press conference.

“Whatever happens, will happen. If we have to play in Shillong, we will be ready and if we have to play away, we will be ready,” he added.

As it stands! 🪜#StrongerAsOne #8States1United #NEUEBFC pic.twitter.com/0kDPa0kf62

— NorthEast United FC (@NEUtdFC) March 8, 2025

On being asked whether the turf at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium would prove to be an advantage in the playoffs, the Spaniard replied in the negative.

“The turf on this ground is not an advantage for us. The advantage is the fantastic stadium and the superb fans,” he said.

“We will wait to know which team we are facing in the playoffs. We respect all the teams, they are all tough teams,” he added.

The 55-year-old was happy the way his team reacted at the interval as his team picked up three crucial points.

“The most important thing today was to give some players some time. We knew it would be tough against East Bengal FC. We corrected some positions at half-time and the goal came,” he commented.