A scintillating NorthEast derby awaits at Shillong as Lajong welcomes United in the quarterfinal clash of the Durand Cup 2024.
NOE vs SHL Match Details
Date: Monday, 26 August 2024
Time: 17:30 (IST)
Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong
NOE vs SHL Match Preview
NorthEast United are experiencing another encouraging Durand Cup campaign after reaching the semifinal last season. The Highlanders topped their group containing Odisha FC reserve team, BSF and host Bodoland with ease winning all three matches, scoring 11 goals and conceding just once. After dispatching the Indian Army football team in the quarterfinal with an outrageous scorpion kick game-settler by Guillermo Hierro, they are now just one game away from repeating the feat of the last tournament. Facing fellow NorthEast club Shillong Lajong, whose journey has been nothing short of remarkable as well, at their den in the semifinal will be a challenging task for Juan Pedro Benali’s men eyeing a first final appearence in any competition. It was a heartbreak last time when the side let East Bengal climb back into the match from 2-0 up on the hour-mark to lose on penalties so NorthEast will be desperate to avoid any banana skin here. This encounter last season ended in a 4-0 win for the Highlanders with Parthib Gogoi scoring a hattrick which is inspiring for the travelling squad.
Apart from their passionate support base, few people counted on Shillong Lajong to win the quarterfinal clash against the star-studded East Bengal team despite the tie being played at home. Yet, the Reds managed to remain in control of their destiny and beat the Reds and Golds to advance to the last four. Lajong took the lead in just the eighth minute of the match through Marcos Silva but Nandhakumar’s equaliser in the 77th minute seemed to be forcing a tie-breaker post-90 minutes. However, Jose Hevia’s team kept themselves cool and snatched the winner in the 84th minute with substitute Figo Syndai finding the net. The man of the match was probably goalkeeper Manas Dubey who produced a stellar show between the sticks to send his team through. The team now hopes to pull off another miracle in front of the home support on Monday after staying unbeaten in the tournament till now. However, Lajong has lost in all the two meetings with United including a 2-1 loss in the Kalinga Super Cup this year.
NOE vs SHL Predicted Lineups
NorthEast United
Gurmeet Singh; Dinesh Singh, Asheer Akhtar, Miguel Zabaco, Buanthanglun Samte; Louis Nickson, Mohammed Bemammer; Jithin MS, Nestor Albiach, Guillermo Hierro; Ankith P
Shillong Lajong
Manas Dubey; Kenstar Kharsong, Daniel Goncalves Aman Ahlawat, Ronney Wilson; Hamedamanbha Wahlang, Kynsai Ryngkhlem, Hardy Nongbri; Marcos Silva, Phrangki Buam, Everbrighton Sana
NOE vs SHL Dream11 Match Prediction
A close game is expected between two spirited teams but NorthEast United will edge in the battle for their quality on the frontline. We predict a 2-1 win for the Highlanders.
NOE vs SHL Dream11 Top picks
Captain Pick: Jithin MS
Vice-captain Picks: Guillermo Hierro
Our top pick for NOE vs. SHL is Jithin MS, who has scored four goals in four matches of the Durand Cup 2024. Another option could be new signing Guillermo Hierro, who has also scored four goals in the tournament.
NOE vs SHL Dream11 Team Suggestion
GK: Dubey (Cr - 7.5, Pts - 62)
DEF: Kharsong (Cr - 9, Pts - 56), Wilson (Cr - 8, Pts - 40), Samte (Cr - 7.5, Pts - 23)
MID: Nestor (Cr - 8.5), Ryngkhlem (Cr - 8, Pts - 94), Bemammer (Cr - 8, Pts - 62), Nongbri (Cr - 8.5, Pts - 104)
FW: Guillermo (Cr - 9, Pts - 48), Marcos (Cr - 9, Pts - 101), Jithin (Cr - 9, Pts - 113)
Vice-captain: Guillermo Hierro
Captain: Jithin MS
