NorthEast United coach Nelo Vingada has mentioned that Sunday's match at the JLN Stadium Kochi is almost like a "World Cup final". Vingada is someone who was won the FIFA U-20 World Cup as the assistant coach of the Portugal team in two editions and has also led the Saudi Arabia football team to AFC Asian Cup in the past. So, don't underestimate what the 63-year-old, fondly called 'Professor', says!
Kerala Blasters clash swords with the Guwahati side for a place in the ISL 2016 semi finals. It is co-incidentally also the last league game of the season and therefore, the occasion couldn't have been more fitting. LIVE UPDATES FROM THE GAME....
"Tomorrow [Sunday] is the last game of the league stage in this amazing tournament," mentioned Vingada ahead of the match. "The battle is between two good teams for one play-offs spot. But that is football. I hope everybody can enjoy tomorrow's game. It's brilliant for me to be involved in such games. I have enjoyed such situations many times in my career. With big crowds, it should be brilliant.
"Tomorrow, it is a World Cup final for both teams. Past results doesn't matter."
At the moment, Kerala are above NorthEast in the ISL 2016 points table, with one point separating them. Just one point from the match will give Sachin Tendulkar's Kerala Blasters a confirmed last four berth in ISL 2016, while all three points for John Abraham's NorthEast United could take them through to their maiden semis.
Kerala Blasters coach Steve Coppell, meanwhile, is least interested in a draw. All he wants is a win! "I don't know how to play for a draw... I don't think it is a question of doing anything different than what we normally do and we certainly won't be playing for a draw," the Manchester United veteran said.
"We have a fantastic crowd supporting us at home and we will just go and play and see as the game progresses and situations become apparent, then there might be a change and it will be apparent to everybody and not just me, and if the either side needs a goal for whatever reason, then obviously decisions will have to be made to get that," the 61-year-old Englishman explained.
Head to head record
Kerala 2-2 NorthEast (one game drawn)
Schedule
Kerala Blasters vs NorthEast United is scheduled to kick off at 7 pm IST (2.30 pm BST) on December 4.
Where to watch live
India: TV - Star Sports 1/HD1, Star Sports 2/HD2, Star Sports 3/HD3
Star Gold, Star Utsav (Hindi)
Jalsha Movies (Bengali)
Asianet Movies (Malayalam)
Asianet Suvarna Plus (Kannada)
Live streaming - Hotstar.
Europe: TV - Star Gold
Australia, USA: TV - Fox Sports
Canada: TV - CBN, ATN Bangla
Bangladesh: TV - Channel 9
South-East Asia: TV - Eurosport
Live score - Twitter
