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What’s The Story?
With the fourth edition of the Indian Super League (ISL) is set to commence in less than three weeks, the different franchises have been occupied in sharpening their preparation for the league with pre-season friendly ties.
Guwahati-based outfit NorthEast United FC selected Portuguese coach João Carlos Pires de Deus ahead of the upcoming season after his countryman Nelo Vingada left for the Malaysian men's senior national team in the summer.
The North East United FC have traveled to Turkey for their pre-season camp and they are focusing on the solidarity among the players, a source close to the team revealed.
The highlanders were seen playing sepak takraw on their Twitter handle during preseason camp in the picturesque beach of Antalya. They will be playing few friendlies in due course there.
The Conext:
The John Abraham co-owned side began their pre-season camp from the last week of September and will be coming back to Guwahati on October 7. The team, bolstered by the arrival of India internationals Rowllin Borges and Halicharan Narzary.
The Heart of the Matter:
The team never had a season in ISL so far which they can boast of. This year they are desperate to put up a better show and in order to do that they have signed some of the very best players like Borges and Lalrindika Ralte etc. The camp in Turkey will surely help them to gel well and hopefully turn their fortunes around this year.
What’s Next?
Of course the ISL. The tournament will kick off in Kochi and the final will be in Kolkata. North East side will surely look forward to play the final in the mecca of Indian football.
Author’s Take:
North East United bring in lot of enthusiasm every time they play. Their supporter base is scintillating but their performance has to improve. They are yet to feature even in the finals. Their owner John Abraham is a huge football fan and he will be hoping a change of fortune this year.
