ISL: Ricki Herbert promises to introduce a good brand of football, David James regrets missed chances

North East United FC captain Miguel Garcia (L) speaks to media as manager Ricki Herbert looks on following their 1-0 win over Kerala Blasters.

Playing your first game at home to a sold out crowd surely invites a lot of pressure, but it wasn’t anything that manager Ricki Herbert and his young NorthEast United FC couldn’t take. NEUFC opened their Indian Super League campaign with a 1-0 victory over visitors Kerala Blasters at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium through a first half goal from Spaniard Koke.

Missed the match? Here are the five talking points from the game.

Both Ricki Herbert and Kerala Blasters’ player-manager David James spoke to media along side captains Miguel Garcia and Penn Orji following the match about how they felt about their season opener.

Herbert promises to introduce a good brand of football

on his side’s overall performance

“I’m just delighted, really I think. It’s a result of good seven weeks of hard work. The character was very good tonight. It's a very young side. Some of the performances were incredibly courageous when you consider that the majority of those boys haven't won premierships before, haven't been in successful high level I-League teams and they are just young boys cutting their teeth in a very, very big league. So you can give these boys a huge pat on the back.”

on his side being the youngest in the league

“We've got a very young side. And who knows what they'll do this year? We don't know. The potential that we're seeing in these boys is very exciting and can be realised over a period of time.”

on the massive support towards the team

“Yes, we've classified them (the fans) as the 12th man. All their jerseys have No 12 on them. And that's going to be important. This franchise is brand new. The fans, who came out in thousands tonight, don't know these players (too well). They haven't seen us play on our home ground. And we've produced that for them tonight. And there's a connection now. And hopefully that connection will continue to grow.”

on whether he had instructed his team to take long shots

“I saw that goal last night, a real stunner [Borja Fernandez’s stunner against Mumbai]. You need to encourage that. Durga tonight certainly got himself into a good scoring position, and I'd argue that if there was anybody else in the goal other than James, it probably would've gone in the top of the net.”

David James still got it!

on introducing a good brand of football

“At the end of the day, it's all about gaining momentum... and I thought what we did do very well tonight is we want to introduce a good brand of football. We want to be able to pass the ball and at times, that can cost you. And at times, that can be difficult. But we have to go through those difficult times if we are to produce fighters that are good enough to play on the world stage.”

Before the end of the press-conference, Sportskeeda had asked Herbert about a possible merger between the ISL and I-League, a question that has been on the mind of supporters throughout the country. However, sadly the question was undermined as the media manager didn’t allow it. Don’t worry, we will get the answer very soon.

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Kerala Blasters captain Penn Orji (L) and player-manager David James address the media together post their defeat.

James regrets missed chances

on his feelings about the defeat

“It’s frustrating. We scored a goal which was offside. I think we were the better team, for the most part of the game, and had some good chances. But one mistake, one lapse of concentration, and NorthEast scored a goal, getting the three points.”

“It’s been difficult because in the pre-season we haven’t played anyone from the ISL. Today, in the first game, I have to be pleased with the way my team performed, I’ve to be pleased I think. The players carried themselves very well. We have a week now before the next game in Chennai, and prepare for a win away from home.”

on what he took away from the match

“Alex [Alexander Tzorvas], their keeper, played very well and deserved the player of the match, because we were good today. We haven’t played against anyone from the ISL in preseason so it’s hard to gauge how good the sides were. But I’m pleased with the way the team performed today. Sad for the loss but happy for the performance of my team.”

on how he felt about the crowd

“John Abraham came back from the launch of the first game, and he was excited. He addressed the crowd, a full house. Terrific atmosphere! John said this morning that a sold out stadium was very good for an ISL match. It was nice and tidy. Fans were up and forward, music was good. All in all, two games down, it has been pretty good. It’s sad that we didn’t win, or at least draw. But, I’m very, very happy with the team.”

on Kerala Blasters playing their first five games away from home

“In a perfect world, you play home and away. But you have to appreciate the way the league has been set up with all its difficulties. We had supporters here today, which is always great, making a lot of noise. If anything, it gives us hope that when we win our first away game - looking to do that of course next week - the supporters will be up there and cheering. The main thing is that the ISL is here and has kicked off to a good start, and we’re all proud of it. It’s what we wanted, it’s what you wanted. And as far as the media and the coverage for this league is concerned, it is worldwide, and that’s what Indian football needs.”

NorthEast will be looking to extend their lead when they take on league leaders Atletico de Kolkata at home on 16th October while Kerala Blasters will be travelling to Chennai as they will look to secure their first three points against Chennaiyin FC on 21.