Panji, 3 Oct: NorthEast United FC are on the road again. The Highlanders will take on FC Goa in match week 4 of the Indian Super League (ISL 2024-25) at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Margao here on Friday, before the ISL 2024-25 breaks for the international window.

In their previous three matches, NorthEast United FC has had mixed results - a win against Mohammedan SC in the opener, a narrow defeat against Mohun Bagan SC and a pulsating draw against Kerala Blasters FC in their first home game. 

However, Juan Pedro Benali and his men are ready for another challenge away from home against Manolo Marquez’s FC Goa. “They are an excellent team with good players and a great coach, who is also the head coach of the Indian national team. He knows our players and team very well,” Benali said before adding, “We have to be focused and strong. We have to be smart enough and deny them spaces to play.”

NorthEast United FC signed midfielder Mayakkannan Muthu from Sreenidi Deccan FC and has gone on to become a vital cog in the Highlanders’ midfield, impressing in his first season in the ISL. The midfielder expressed the team’s focus on winning the game against FC Goa and not proving anything to the national team head coach Marquez.

“We don’t want to prove anything to anyone, we are there to win and earn three points. We are not thinking that the national team coach will be watching us,” he added. 

On the other hand, FC Goa too had a similar run of results - a 1-2 defeat against Jamshedpur FC at home, 1-1 draw against Mohammedan SC and 3-2 victory against East Bengal FC. 

Thus, starting on 4 points from three games, both teams will be keen to earn vital points before a small international window and consolidate their position in the early table.