ISL returns to football field after international break, Chennaiyin FC faces NorthEast United

Guwahati, 16 October (Hindustan Reporter). The Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 will come back on the football field with the match between NorthEast United FC and Chennaiyin FC. This will be the first ISL match after the international break, which will be played on Thursday, October 17 evening at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati. This match of Gameweek Five is expected to be very exciting, as both the teams played draws in their previous matches before the international break.

NorthEast United FC were forced to play out a 3-3 draw with FC Goa after conceding a last-minute goal at their home ground. At the same time, Chennaiyin FC was forced to draw a goalless draw by Hyderabad FC with 10 players.

The Highlanders have registered only one win (3 draws, 6 losses) in their last 10 matches against Chennaiyin FC and will be looking to improve their record. However, the Highlanders have lost only two of their eight home ISL matches against Chennaiyin (5 wins, 1 draw).

Chennaiyin FC has attempted 19.3 shots per match in the current ISL season, which is the highest. But three of them have been converted into goals.

NorthEast United FC's Spanish head coach Juan Pedro Benali spoke on the team's performance so far in the season during a pre-match press conference. He acknowledged that the team needs to finish their matches with a better result, but asked for some more time to improve their setup.

“This is my second season here,” Benally said. We are moving forward. We make mistakes and learn from them.”

Chennaiyin FC's Scottish head coach Owen Coyle is aware of NorthEast United FC's potential but is confident that Marina Machans will challenge the Highlanders in Guwahati.

“We have great respect for the NorthEast United FC team,” Coyle said. “At the same time, we know we are a good team with good players and we can compete with the top teams in the league.”

Let us tell you that 20 matches have been played between the two teams, out of which Chennaiyin FC has won eight while NorthEast United has won seven. Five matches are drawn.