NorthEast United FC on the Brink of Playoffs as They Face Chennaiyin FC:

The examiner’s head coach Juan Pedro Benali uses the phrase “we are taking it one game at a time” every time he is asked about NorthEast United FC’s campaign this season. The Highlanders sit pretty on 32 points from 22 matches and a win on the road against Chennaiyin FC on Monday will guarantee them a spot in the playoffs.

The Spaniard is suspended for the game, but his assistant Moosa, who was present for the pre match interactions, seemed to understand that winning has to be the only aim for the team if they want to put their club in the history books by making it to the Indian Super League (ISL) knockouts for the third time.

“Chennai has nothing to lose. It is crucial for us to control our emotions. What is of key importance is we play good football. We must stick to our plans and give our best till the final whistle and the result will be there," Moosa said in Guwahati on Saturday, a day ahead of their flight to Chennai.

As was expected, much of the responsibility for the final push for success this season will rest once again on the shoulders of Alaaeddine Ajaraie. He currently leads the team in goals scored, and his contribution of 20 goals thus far has been invaluable. The Moroccan international has played well thus far, contributing a singular goal in the first leg against a Chennaiyin team that's languishing at tenth in the ISL table, and he will be eager to add to his season total in the returns too.

“Every player knows the importance of the game, we (coaching staff) don't have to tell them. In training, we can see how focused they are,” Moosa continues, “we can see that they want to go out there and win.”

The Highlanders’ record is impressive, with three consecutive wins leading them to this match and hoping to continue that winning streak in this the last home game for the Chennaiyin team. Apart from this, the hosts will obviously be looking to add some polish to the last two matches of the contest.

What Coyle needs from his team and what he seeks for the Marina Machans’ future were the two issues marked by the head coach as priorities.

As stated by Coyle, “As we have tried to do these last few weeks, we wish to conclude strongly. I consider that we are already making strides towards this goal with the victory in East Bengal, against Punjab, and the good match against Bengaluru. We want to finish strong and capture as many points as we can before proceeding to the Super Cup.”

All that remains is to wait for the exciting Monday clash as their understanding of the competitors paints it as a treble of goal scoring for both – 3-2, 4-3, 7-3, which promises to be a nail-biter for the true followers of the sport.