FC Pune City will be looking to make two wins out of two when they host NorthEast United FC on Matchday 7 of Hero Indian Super League 2015 [ISL] on Friday. The teams come into the game riding contrasting results in their season opener. Pune began their campaign with a 3-1 victory over neighbouring Mumbai City FC, while NorthEast succumbed to a 3-1 loss at the hands of Kerala Blasters FC in their opening fixtures.

Pune will be hoping to make their home advantage count as they look to build on their winning start. The visitors, on the other hand, will be searching for their first points of the season in a bid to get their campaign going. It promises to be an exciting match as the two teams are desperate to improve upon their Season 1 showing.

Tuncay Sanli vs Cédric Hengbart

Tuncay Sanli made his Hero ISL debut in fantastic fashion against Mumbai. The Turkish international was the Hero of the Match in the Maharashtra derby after scoring two delightful headers for his team in his first competitive outing for the Stallions. Sanli’s contribution was instrumental to his team’s winning start and the 33-year-old’s form will be imperative to his side’s title hopes this season.

Cédric Hengbart’s role will be even more crucial now, in the absence of NorthEast United FC’s skipper Miguel Garcia. The Frenchman stepped up after his captain had limped off in their first match against Kerala. His stunning passing accuracy of 89% bought control to their defensive unit, allowing the Highlanders to build attacks from the back.

Israil Gurung vs Diomansy Kamara

Sanli in tandem with Israil Gurung ultimately led to Mumbai City FC’s downfall in Pune’s season opener. The pacey winger is one of Pune’s greatest threats going forward. It was his two assists that met Tuncay Sanli’s head to put the Stallions in control of the Maharashtra derby. He finished the game off with a wicked shot from the right to completely deceive Mumbai’s keeper and help his side win the game 3-1. Gurung had played a key role in all their goals, running away with the ISL Emerging Player of the Match Award.

One of the few positives taken from NorthEast United FC’s loss in their season opener was the performance of Diomansy Kamara. The 34-year-old was one of the Highlanders’ most potent attacking forces in the final-third. Kamara dominated the opposition back-line and had a passing accuracy of 90% during his ISL debut. The veteran Senegalese has an important role to fill for NorthEast United FC this season.

Gouramangi Singh vs Nicolas Velez

Against Mumbai, the former Indian international showed us just why David Platt has trusted him to be a key part of Pune’s spine at the back. Gouramangi brings tons of experience to centre of the Pune defence and is also a good distributor of the ball with a passing accuracy of 90%. More than capable of getting a goal for his side, the threat he offers from set-pieces cannot be ignored by opposition defences.

The brightest spark for the Highlanders during their disappointing beginning to the Hero ISL 2015 campaign was the performance of Argentine frontman Nicolas Velez. The technically-gifted striker looked lively during his ISL debut and scored his team consolation goal with an exquisitely-hit curler on his right foot. Velez can make telling passes and can be expected to play a role in most of NorthEast United FC’s goals this season.

Both teams have a wealth of attacking options in their sides. Pune’s marquee man Adrian Mutu played a cameo in their season opener and looked like a real force to be reckoned with as the league progresses. He along with Nicky Shorey will bring real dynamism to the hosts. Shorey completed 90 minutes for his side against Mumbai and almost scored a goal for Punekars, while also making five clearances and two blocks in defence.

NorthEast United FC, on the contrary, will be pinning their hopes on midfielder Silas. The man from Portugal completed more passes than any other player against Kerala (69), boasting a passing accuracy of 86%. Silas also completed three tackles from midfield and will be looking to anchor his side as they look to get their first points of Season 2.

Quotes:

We are mentally strong. We have a good mentality, a good attitude. This is a new opportunity for us and we are here to get a win: NorthEast coach Cesar Farias

We know they [NorthEast] are coming from a loss. They will be eager to win. No one wants to lose. They will come hard at us: FC Pune City defender Nicky Shorey

Squads:

FC Pune City: Kalu Uche, Adrian Mutu (Marquee Player), Yendrick Ruiz, Wesley Verhoek, Tuncay Sanli, Didier Zokora, James Bailey, Jackichand Singh, Fanai Lalrempuia, Sushanth Mathew, Manish Maithani, Bikash Jairu, Israil Gurung, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Lenny Rodrigues, Diego Colotto, Roger Johnson, Nicky Shorey, Govin Singh, Gourmangi Singh, Gurjinder Kumar, Pritam Kotal, Dharmaraj Ravanan, Steve Simonsen, Lalit Thapa, Arindam Bhattacharya

NorthEast United FC: Aiborlang Khongjee, Robin Gurung, Boithang Haokip, Alen Deory, Rehenesh Thumbirumbu Paramba, Sanju Pradhan, Hali Charan Narzary, Seityasen Singh, Lalthuammawia Ralte, Siam Hanghal, Raju Yumnam, Reagan Singh , Marlangki Suting, Zohmingliana Ralte, Kondwani Mtonga, Miguel Angelo Moita Garcia, Gennaro Bracigliano, Simao Pedro Da Fonseca Sabrosa (Marquee Player), Bruno Herrero Arias, Diomansy Mehdi Moustapha Kamara, Jorge Manuel Rebelo Fernandes, Cedric Alain Hervine Hengbart, Nicolas Leandro Velez, Francis Dadzie, Boubacar Sanogo

(The match starts 1900 IST and will be telecast on Start Sports 1/HD1/2/HD2/3/HD3)