Buoyant Hyderabad FC take on NorthEast United

Hyderabad: Riding high after recording back-to-back victories, table toppers Hyderabad Football Club look to continue good run when they take on struggling NorthEast United on Monday. The Manolo Marquez managed side are currently occupying the top place with 23 points from 13 games and a win here can consolidated their position in the race for […]

Hyderabad: Riding high after recording back-to-back victories, table toppers Hyderabad Football Club look to continue good run when they take on struggling NorthEast United on Monday.

The Manolo Marquez managed side are currently occupying the top place with 23 points from 13 games and a win here can consolidated their position in the race for the playoffs. Speaking on the eve of the match, Marquez said the mood in te caimp is upbeate after good outings. “The mood is very good in the camp after two victories. Usuallty it is more difficult to victories in the second half as all teams battle for the top 4 position. We are happy to get six points from last two games,” he said.

NorthEast are lying 10th in the table with 10 points. With playoffs race hotting up, Hyderabad are favourites to top 4. However, the 53-year-old Spaniard says there is a long way to go. “It is too early to talk about it (winning title or playoffs berth). I think the fight for the top four will go on till the last match. The top eight teams still have possibilities to qualify for playoffs.”

Bartholomew Ogbeche has been the top performer for the team from Hyderabad with 12 goals, most in the league so far. However, it was the likes of Joao Victor, Joel Chianese and Akash Mishra that scored goals in their previous outing against Odisha FC. Marquez felt others contributing a big boost for the team. “It is very important that other players contribute with goals. It’s good for the confidence of the team. Having other goalscorers in the team makes it easy.”

Speaking about the NorthEast challenge, he said, ” The NorthEast team right now is more similar to the (NEUFC team) last season. In the first part of the league this season, they had issues with injuries but that has changed now. They have very good foreigners and Indian players that are ready to fight for every ball. Even in the game against Chennaiyin, they were unlucky not to win so I think they will not be an easy team to face.”

He is delighted how the team struck balance and if they continue to perform the way they did, a top 4 finish is a guaranty. “If you continue to have this team balance, the chances of top 4 are good. If we are the team with more goals and the one of the teams to concede less goals, the balance is good. But still there are many games left in the season and it is impossible to know which is the real table as other teams have more games at hand. Now we have to try and win the next game.”

He also said not knowing which is player available for the match owing to tight schedule affecting players’ fitness is frustrating at times.

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