After their hard fought victory against Kerala Blasters FC, NorthEast United will welcome the runaway winners of the Hero ISL’s first game: Atlético de Kolkata. NorthEast United FC will have to be at their defensive best as they pit themselves against a side that dismantled Mumbai City FC at will during the season opener. The game however, may come down to the men upfront, as Fikru Teferra (Atlético de Kolkata) and Koke (NorthEast United FC) will look to carry their scintillating form into what promises to be a fantastic encounter. Atlético de Kolkata will however have to deal with the Highlanders’ twelfth man, the home crowd, who supported their team vociferously throughout their first game.Miguel Garcia vs Fikru Teferra A lot will depend on how the experienced Portuguese defender copes with the attacking threat of the powerful Ethiopian forward. Fikru has all the qualities to unsettle the best of defenders. His pace, power, runs into the box and his ability to create goals will have to be dealt with by the NorthEast United FC captain. Miguel Garica, who was an absolute rock against Kerala, will have to summon his excellent positioning and aerial abilities to negate the unpredictable threat that Fikru possesses.Kolkata midfield vs the NorthEast midfieldThe battle of the midfield shall hold the key to how the game pans out in the end. Kolkata’s Spanish midfield trio of Borja Fernández, Jofre and Luis García flexed their muscles against Mumbai City FC, with Borja scoring an absolute blinder and García running the show from his position behind the two strikers. Guilherme Felipe de Castro and Durga Boro, if they start together again, will have their work cut out as they will have to strike a balance between their defensive duties and their playmaking responsibilities. This will be a delicious duel to watch out for in the middle of the park.Koke vs Denzil FrancoKoke got NorthEast United FC off to a winning start by scoring the game’s solitary goal. The Spanish striker is a roving threat who tends to exploit the gaps between the centre-backs and the full-backs. Often drifting into wide positions to link up play and create chances, Koke is a constant threat to the opposition. Denzil Franco, who performed admirably in his side’s last outing, will have to assist his centre-backs in tracking Koke’s unpredictable runs and also deal with the dangerous crosses that the Spanish striker tends to provide from the flanks.Players to WatchNorthEast United FCDavid Ngaihte – The diligent winger was one of the many bright sparks in NorthEast United’s last game. Fleet-footed and pacy, Ngaihte has the ability to beat his man down the flanks and possesses the trickery to cause havoc in the attacking third. Kolkata will have to be wary of this prodigious talent as he will look to create chances for his strikers to thrive on.Atlético de KolkataSubhasish Roy Chowdhury – The highly talented goalkeeper was one of Kolkata’s outstanding players on display as he dominated his box and produced a string of good saves against Mumbai City FC. The highlight of his performance was an absolute peach of a save that he pulled off, despite the ball changing direction after a deflection. Composed and assured in his distribution, the gifted goalie will be a key factor in deciding his team’s fortunes if he were to start again.In their own speakRicki Herbert, manager, NorthEast United FC“I think it’s too early to make any judgements on any of the franchises yet, I think it will take a few games to make anything more prominent.”Luis García, captain & marquee player, Atlético de Kolkata“For tomorrow’s game, we have to play well, we have to press in the middle of the pitch, create many chances,”
