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The youngest side in the Indian Super League, North East United FC cruised to a comfortable 9-0 win over a select Assam XI today at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium.
It was Manipuri striker David Ngaihte who opened the scoring for the team followed goals from Sergio Koke, and a stellar hat-trick from local boy Alen Deory to give the side a 5-0 lead. The lead was further extended after goals from Seimeinlen Doungel, Luis Padilla who bagged a brace and South Korean midfielder Do Dong-Hyun who scored the final goal of the match.
Sportskeeda had the chance to get an exclusive interview with NEUFC manager Ricki Herbert, former manager of the New Zealand national team.
Q: How has India been so far? How is the weather treating you?
A: India has been great. It's been a few weeks now, so yeah we are enjoying it. Weather is good, look yeah. I've a bit of a tan.
Q: What are you expecting from the Indian Super League?
A: I think it would be fantastic, you know. The inception of a competition like this, you know which is globally treated. It could be fantastic for the game. Let's wait and see.
Q: Do you have a starting eleven in your mind already? Were you happy with their performance?
A: We will see, you know. Today was pretty comfortable to be frank. Today was a bit about a whole lot of players. We beat them 9-0.
Q: What are the priorities of the club right now?
A: [We are] just getting well prepared as we can as we kick off on 13th.
Q: The NEUFC has the youngest squad in the ISL. Do you think it is a lot of pressure or a good chance for the young players?
A: I think it is a bit of the both really. Football of this level and quality is going to have pressure to it. Players will need to handle it, they will be catered and monitored. It is a very young side.
Q: What kind of football do you plan to implement here? Attacking, ball-possession, or something else?
A: I think we have got some very good players going forward and from the pace point of view, and I think it is a balance of about six foreigners and five Indian boys, and who is going to suit best.
Q: Has communication been an issue as of yet?
A: No, no absolutely not.
Q: How is Joan Capdevila fitting in?
A: Yeah, yeah he has very good. His English is getting better.
Q: You are known to play 3-4-3 or 4-4-2. So what do you plan to use here?
A: Never played 4-4-2, so not sure you have read there. [My bad!] We will see what happens in the field.
Q: In an interview, you had earlier rated the performance of the boys 4/10 as of now. How do you rate them now?
A: Oh, yeah that was weeks ago. Probably 4.1 right now.
Ah, now come on. Be honest. I mean, the boys have been doing pretty good. (I added.)
A: No, no. It is hard to know. Everyone has been working very hard. We can only hope what they can.
Q: What do you think the Indian players lack?
A: I think it is just the competitive nature, you know. I was in the position when I took New Zealand to the World Cup, and we were playing big sides and challenged people, and maybe that is the same recipe that is needed here.
Q: Do you think ISL can change that?
A: Look, it will better as you get better players here, and it is going to be more competitive, and the standard is going to be a lot higher. But, I think part of my brief with the young Indian boys as well. It is exciting to be working with them too.
Q: What are you aiming for? Top of the table, or a fourth place finish or something of that sort?
A: Look. Who knows? We are going into a pretty foreign competition, nobody knows about anybody. It is a competition, and you want to do well, and we are no different. We want to do well.
Q: How do you feel about players like Nicolas Anelka and Alessandro Del Piero playing in the league?
A: Del Piero has been playing in Australia where I have been managing for the last few years, so I know what exactly he is like. He will be an interesting character. He will see how the cats are a bit warmer here than there in Australia. [chuckles]
Q: One last question: Have you learnt any Hindi word yet?
A: Yes. Shukriya. [Thank you] Thik hain. [Alright].
North East United FC is based out from Guwahati, Assam who begin their Indian Super League campaign on 13th October as they will take on Kerala Blasters in a home encounter. The side is owned by Bollywood actor John Abraham and I-League side Shillong Lajong.
