The Highlanders will go head to head with Hyderabad FC at the Tilak Maidan in an attempt to
break back into the top 4 after falling out over the last couple of weeks. With Mumbai City FC
and ATK Mohun Bagan steering clear of the rest of the pack for the top 2 slots, the remaining 2
slots are up for grabs for every team on the table.
With 11 points from 9 games, NEUFC can go all the way up to 4th with a win over the Nizams
tonight and Coach Gerard and his men will like to finish the first half of the fixtures with that
target in mind. Our opponents on the night will have similar ambitions, having overcome a drop
in form with a phenomenal 4-1 win over Chennaiyin FC last time round. The Highlanders will be
looking to do something similar on the night to recover from the recent slump in form.
Speaking to the media ahead of the crucial fixture, Coach Gerard said "They are a difficult side
to play against, as they are really good with the ball. We have to be at our best in all aspects of
the game, if we want to take something. We are going to go with full commitment and
determination for three points because we want to win."
When quizzed about the mood in the dressing room after the slump, Captain Benjamin Lambot was quick to reiterate that the boys are aware of the situation
they are in but the confidence remains the same. “We continue to work hard, learn from the mistakes, try to improve and be better every day”, he added.
Key Pointers -
1. This will be the 3rd time the Highlanders will face the Nizams. Both sides have won one apiece.
2. NEUFC won a friendly 2-1 against the Nizams during Pre-season
3. 3 points on the night will take Highlanders all the way up to 4th spot.