ISL 2025 Playoffs: NorthEast United FC faces Jamshedpur FC in knockout clash

NorthEast United FC secured fourth place in the league standings with 38 points from 24 matches, recording 10 wins and eight draws. Jamshedpur FC finished just behind in fifth place with the same points from an equal number of games, as both teams now set their sights on reaching the semi-finals.

Hyderabad: North East United FC will play Jamshedpur FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong in the second one-legged knockout game of the Indian Super League playoffs on Sunday.

The Highlanders finished fourth in the league standings with 38 points from 24 games, securing 10 victories and eight draws. Jamshedpur FC ended up fifth, earning as many points from the same number of encounters, as both sides will target advancing into the semi-finals now.

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NorthEast United FC enters this fixture on a four-game unbeaten run against Jamshedpur FC (W3 D1), their joint longest such streak against the Red Miners. This will also be the first-ever playoffs meeting between these two sides in ISL history.

Jamshedpur FC have endured recent defensive struggles, leaking three or more goals in each of their previous two league games.

The Highlanders, contrastingly, have recorded consecutive clean sheets in ISL and could register their longest-ever shutout streak if they deny Jamshedpur FC a goal in this match. However, history suggests the Highlanders will be in for a challenge themselves in the playoffs, having conceded in all four of their previous games at this stage of the competition.

NorthEast United FC and Jamshedpur FC have faced each other 16 times in ISL history. The Highlanders have won four encounters, while the Red Miners have emerged victorious on six occasions. Six matches have ended in draws.

NorthEast United FC head coach Juan Pedro Benali outlined his side’s objectives entering into the knockout.

“We need to be ready, not make any excuses, and score whenever chances come our way. We need to convert our opportunities and always be focused, and stop Jamshedpur FC’s special style of play,” he said.

Jamshedpur FC head coach Khalid Jamil expressed his pleasure at playing the ISL playoffs in Shillong.

“We are very happy to be in Shillong. There is a lot of love for football here. The stadium is looking fantastic, the crowd support is amazing, and we are looking forward to securing a positive result,” he said.