GUWAHATI: The NorthEast United Football Club (NEUFC) is poised to make a strong impact in the 11th edition of the Indian Super League (ISL).
The 2024-25 season of the Indian Super League begins on September 13.
The team’s recent victory in the Durand Cup, where they defeated defending ISL champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant in a thrilling penalty shootout, has significantly boosted their morale.
This triumph serves as a testament to NEUFC’s growing strength and determination. The team aims to build upon their seventh-place finish from last season and strive for even greater success.
NEUFC head coach Juan Pedro Benali asserted the team is staying in the present and focusing on the controllable factors to secure the desired results.
“Right now, our entire focus is on the first game against Mohammedan SC. We are not thinking beyond that. For us, it doesn’t matter if we play home or away. There are minor changes, but no big difference,” Benali said.
Benali acknowledged the expectations of the fans and expressed the team’s desire to maintain a balance between confidence and humility.
“The expectation from the fans will always be there. We are happy about that. We want to have our heads held high up in confidence but at the same time we want to keep our feet on the ground,” he added.
The club’s CEO Mandar Tamhane, who joined the team last season after a 10-year-long stint with Bengaluru FC, said the Durand Cup success is a testament to the strong mentality of the Highlanders.
Tamhane exuded pride in the fact that his team clinched the title despite the odds heavily stacked against them. He remarked that this result will serve as a source of inspiration for several teams in the Indian footballing landscape.
“Our Durand Cup success will give a lot of motivation to the players, coaches and the teams alike. We were up against the Mohun Bagan Super Giant team that had several Indian national team players. We were at the Salt Lake Stadium, which was filled with 35,000 Mohun Bagan supporters,” Tamhane said.
Benali shared insights about the mood inside the dressing room, reiterating that all their needs are well taken care of by the management. He stated that the squad has adopted a calm and positive outlook ahead of the campaign.
“We know we have a big responsibility on our shoulders. I am starting this ISL season with a very fresh mind,” he added.
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NEUFC begins their 2024-25 campaign against Mohammedan SC in Kolkata’s Kishore Bharati Krirangan at 7.30 pm on September 16.
