Khalid Jamil’s dream run as an Indian Super League head coach with NorthEast United FC will get steeper when they host ATK Mohun Bagan in the first leg of the second semi-final at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim on March 6.
Though the Highlanders got the better of the Mariners through a late Federico Gallego goal in their last league appearance, NEUFC will now face a knockout stage specialist in Antonio Lopez Habas.
NEUFC and ATKMB have shared the spoils with one win each in the league stages. Both the teams have won thrice in their last five matches although NEUFC remain unbeaten in those games as opposed to ATKMB.
Making their maiden ISL debut this season, ATKMB will appear in the playoffs for the very first time unlike NEUFC, who have played twice in the knockout stages where they won one and lost the other. However, Habas has reached the playoffs twice and he went on to win the tournament from there on both occasions.
NEUFC an ATKMB arrive at the fixture with little separating them.
| Last 5 Matches | ||
| NorthEast United FC | Metrics | ATK Mohun Bagan |
| 10 | Goals | 8 |
| 4 | Goal Scoring Matches | 4 |
| 2 | Clean Sheets | 2 |
As was the case with FC Goa and Mumbai City FC, NEUFC and ATKMB also intensify their games in opposite halves thereby making this fixture a game of two halves as well.
| Half Scored | |||
| Goals Scored | First Half | Second Half | Tally |
| NEUFC | 18 | 13 | 21 |
| ATKMB | 5 | 23 | 28 |
On paper, ATKMB remain the better side with a string of star individual performers in every section of the field. While NEUFC have outscored ATKMB this season scoring 31 goals as opposed to the Mariners' 25, it is the defence that ATKMB excel in.
Habas' men have been the best defensive side in ISL this season, conceding just 15 goals in 20 games whereas NEUFC have let in 25 goals so far.
| Half Conceded | |||
| Goals Scored | First Half | Second Half | Tally |
| NEUFC | 10 | 15 | 25 |
| ATKMB | 7 | 8 | 15 |
Feature Image Courtesy: Website/ISL
