North East United FC (NEUFC) to face Hyderabad FC in first home match of ISL Season 2022-23

Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: North East United FC (NEUFC) will play their first home game of ISL Season 2022-23 at the Indira Gandhi Athletics Stadium here tomorrow. Defending champion Hyderabad FC will be their opponent in the game.

It will be the second game for both the teams in the competition. NEUFC lost their first tie against Bengaluru FC by a solitary goal and Hyderabad FC played a 3-3 draw against Mumbai FC.

Tomorrow's match will be a momentous occasion for NorthEast United FC and their fans as this will be their 50th league game at the Indira Gandhi Athletics Stadium. Getting a win on this occasion will be a challenge for NorthEast United FC as they have failed to get the better of Hyderabad in the last five meetings.

Addressing the media in the pre-match press conference the assistant coach of NorthEast United FC Paul Groves said, "Hyderabad are champions for a reason. They are a good team and have already shown that in the game against Mumbai. For us, it's a challenge but it's one we are looking forward to."

He also added: "Our focus will be on ourselves and how we play."

The ISL returned to the city after a gap of two years as due to COVID-19 the competition was held under bio-bubble in a single venue during the last two seasons.

Although Hyderabad FC has started this edition of the league as the defending champion but team's head coach Manolo Marquez feels it's a new season and all eleven teams are capable of beating their opponent. "I think we are eleven teams in a competition where every team can beat the other. We are happy we won the last edition, but now it's a completely different situation. I know they [NEUFC] started their pre-season late. They also played with a B-Team in the Durand Cup. The other day, against Bengaluru, I think NEUFC didn't deserve to lose the game," Marquez said.

Hyderabad FC played a good attacking game against Mumbai FC and will definitely be a threat for NEUFC here also. Halicharan Narzary and Mohammed Yasir combined well in the flank last game and also expected to create a lot of difficulties on the defense of the NEUFC

NorthEast United FC and Hyderabad FC have faced each other six times in the Hero ISL, with Hyderabad winning four and NorthEast winning one.

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