Task cut out for NEUFC against Chennaiyin FC

GUWAHATI: Push has come to shove for NorthEast United FC (NEUFC) as they chase a semifinal spot in the inaugural ISL. Rooted at the foot of the eight-team table with 10 points from as many matches, NEUFC need to double that tally in their remaining four league games.
And that would be anything but a simple task, as they begin the home stretch in the race to the knockouts with a clash against the mighty Chennaiyin FC at Indira Gandhi Stadium here on Thursday evening.
Not only are the wooden spooners pitted against the table toppers — who have nine more points than NEUFC — it's a clash between two teams which have scored the most and least number of goals in the tournament so far. While Chennaiyin have found the back of the net 20 times, the hosts have netted just 7 goals. It's their inability to score that has hurt Ricki Herbert's team more than anything else. No wonder they have been winless for six matches.
They have just not taken the opportunities that have come their way, Monday's 1-2 loss against Delhi Dynamos FC being a point in case. The strikers have to show more enterprise and alacrity in the attacking third if they are to breach the Chennaiyin backline, led by Bernard Mendy.