NorthEast United FC will be on the road to play their last league game against Kerala Blasters FC on Friday. The Highlanders have already qualified for the semi-finals but will look to put on a good showing to boost their confidence going into the business end of their campaign.

NorthEast head coach Eelco Schattorie addressed the media during the pre-match presser a day prior to the match. Asked if he would be resting some of his first-team regulars on Friday, the Dutchman said, "I mentioned a few times this season that the depth of the squad isn't too good. We don't have a big group. We also have to account for five injuries. We have 18 players on the training field. From these 18, two are suspended.  From the 16 remaining, three are on three yellow cards and that means I can't play them because that's a risk going into the semi-finals. That leaves us with 13. From these 13, four haven't played this season. So, there are fitness concerns. I have to choose from these 13 players."

"But again, the most important thing is that we qualified. I was scared that we might have to go all out for this match but fortunately, we don't have to do that anymore. That's a plus. It also gives other players the opportunity to prove themselves. I want to win tomorrow and make good preparations going into the semi-finals. We will take it from there," he added.

Analyzing Friday's opponents, Schattorie stated, "Kerala are way more organized now than they were when we played them the first time. They are playing more attacking football. I am very impressed with their no. 18 (Sahal Abdul Samad). He is my type of player. He is creative, takes initiative. I really like him. Their organization defensively and offensively looked really stable. I think they have progressed a lot. They have been missing a little bit of goal scoring maybe but overall, they are doing a better job than before the break."

In the reverse fixture between the two sides back in November 2018, the Highlanders had to rely on two very late goals by Bartholomew Ogbeche and Juan Mascia to claim the three points. When asked if his team will be in for another testing night, Schattorie said, "The first game, we were dominating but they scored a goal from set piece. We went 1-0 behind. In the last parts of the game, I made some tactical changes and Juan Mascia scored a fantastic goal and we eventually won the game. This game will be completely different. We will play a different system."

With the semi-finals on the horizon, Schattorie was quizzed about his preferred opponents in the semis. "Honestly, I don't care too much whom we play. It doesn't matter whom we play. All three will be difficult challenges. The first thing I am worried about is the next game," he responded.

Read the Match Preview here.