North East United FC Head Coach Khalid Jamil and Assistant Coach Alison Kharsyntiew had a few words with the press before their first match of ISL 2021-22.
The Hero ISL Season is all set to begin tonight, 19th November with ATK Mohun Bagan facing the Kerala Blasters. Khalid Jamil’s team faces Bengaluru FC in tomorrow’s clash, to begin their season.
With many key players leaving North East in the last transfer window and Khalid Jamil being the first Indian Head coach the heat and pressure are on at Goa on Khalid and his men. Expectations are high as well after last season’s performance under Khalid Jamil, but here’s what Khalid and sir Alison had to say before the match.
Khalid on Challenges going into the season as first Indian Head Coach
“It is a big challenge for us. We’re playing against a good team tomorrow(Bengaluru FC). They are a good team and have quality players. So, it is a big challenge.”
“We shouldn’t take this match lightly and have to focus and think positive.”
With 4 draws and 4 losses against Bengaluru in the league stage of ISL, North East United haven’t been able to beat Bengaluru FC yet. On being asked about breaking the Jinx, Khalid said, “We’re playing a good team tomorrow, but we don’t think about Past. Thinking about tomorrow, we have to be focused from the first minute to the end. If we give our best, everything will be fine.”
Alison added, “Bengaluru is a good team you know that and we all have to go there and give our best be focused, show character and yes if we give our best, success will come.”
Every team has announced their leaders for the season so has North East United. “We have four Captains this season. Subhasish, Gallego, Khasa and Hernan”, said Khalid.
Alison informed about the squad saying, “There’s no injury. Everyone is fit and ready for Tomorrow’s match.”
Khalid on expectation from the Team this Season
“Expectations are high this year definitely, we have to do well, but at the moment we are thinking about the Bengaluru team we face tomorrow. We need a good start because if we get a good start it will be really helpful for us. We have to be prepared, strong defensively and sharp in attack. We must play as a team and help each other.”
Alison Kharsyntiew on the 4 foreigners rule and the Indian players in the squad
“I think everyone is very professional and they’re very promising and very good players. I hope that they are ready and focused and I’m 100 percent sure that they’ll give their best.”
Khalid Jamil on players moving out in last transfer window, leaving a void in the team
“Talking about this, as a player see they have to work hard. If you work hard you will get what you want, and talking about quality, there is no difference between any player. Who’s doing good, who works hard, they will get the result that is for sure.”
Khalid also had to say a few words when asked about Indian Coaches, of course now him being the first in ISL, he said, “I believe they can do well because they have experience. So, if they give them more chances definitely they will do good”
Khalid on plans to contain Sunil Chhetri and the Bengaluru FC attack
“Talking about BFC, as I said they have good players and talking about Sunil, one of the best players in India we have and they have good goalkeeper, defence line is good, so all the players who are going to play are good. So overall they are a good team and you cannot take them lightly at all.”
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