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The North East United FC team14 matches and just 15 points: NorthEast United FC have had a dismal first season of the Indian Super League as they finished bottom of the table. The 1-1 draw against Mumbai City FC at home was their final game this year. They have not been able to make good use of chances that came their way in crucial situations and managed a meagre 11 goals in the campaign. The absence of Cornell Glenn was sorely missed in the front as the likes of Durga Boro, James Keene and Koke failed to meet the expectations of the hugely supportive fans. Even the midfield play was just average even with players like Mtonga and Do making their presence felt.And although the defence boasted of the likes of Joan Capdevila, it failed to make much needed tackles at crucial moments. But amidst such disappointments, there were a lot of positives which emerged from the inclusion of NEU FC franchise in this season of ISL. Here, we take a look at some of them.
#1 The emergence of TP Rehenesh
When the opposition was attacking with all its force and the defensive tactics of the team were being demolished, one 21-year old young man was busy making heart-stopping saves.Yes, we are talking about the young TP Rehenesh, who has 5 clean sheets in the tournament which is just 1 less than Subrata Pal’s tally. From the 45 shots on goal he faced, he managed to save 35 of them.
His performances were so impressive to the manager Ricki Herbert that he was the preferred first team player over the much experienced and international keeper from Greece, Alexander Tzorvas. From an oblivious name to becoming one of the best keepers of the Hero Indian Super League, TP Rehenesh has won many hearts of fans and this performance may lead up to a place in the national side. North East United FC can be proud to have produced such a gem in Indian football.
#2 Local players gain immense experience
The much talked about thing about NEU FC is that their players are young, and the team has the youngest average age (hovering around 22) among all the ISL teams and this lack of inexperience cost them a lot of matches.
At times, they were unable to keep up with the pace of the game and lost possession too easily. Creating chances and converting them to goals needs experience. But playing under Ricki Herbert alongside international players like the 2010 World Cup winner Joan Capdevila, Koke, Miguel Garcia and others, the youngsters must have gained invaluable experience.
With the experience gained from them, they can achieve a better mentality to approach the game and with a better fitness regimen, the physical aspect can also be taken care of. With this season almost at an end, the fans can surely hope that next year, the team will come back stronger.
#3 Improved sporting infrastructure in the north-eastern region
North-east India comparatively lacks in the infrastructure facilities for the development of sports. The introduction of this national league to this part of the country has spurred many developmental activities in the area of football.
It was only after the Guwahati franchise was announced that the Indira Gandhi Stadium was revamped to accommodate 35000 people instead of the earlier 12000. The training facilities provided for the team are also world-class and during off-season these facilities can be made use of by the local players. This will help in boosting the competence of the footballers.
The Highlanders have now been exposed to excellent facilities and with the ISL in its infancy, the future looks pretty bright for them.
#4 The franchise has put North-East India on the football map
Previously, the only representatives of the region in the I-league were in the form of Shillong Lajong (joined in 2009), United Sikkim (joined in 2008 and relegated last year), Rangdajied United (joined in 2013) and Royal Wahingdoh (to feature in the league from next season).
This means that 8 football crazy states had been represented by just 3 teams in the top-tier football league till now. Thanks to NEU FC, the region could witnessthe popularity of the sport soar to a new level.
#5 NEUFC has indeed united the fans of the region
The state of Assam was divided in 1972 and what formed are now called “ The Seven Sisters” but the sisterhood was clearly missing. The renaming of the Guwahati franchise to represent the whole of Northeast was a commendable move to unite the people. Moreover, the team also represents Sikkim (not one of the “seven sister”), thereby attracting home support from a total of 8 states.
The people also have warmed up to the team and cheer every pass, every tackle, every shot, every save and every goal. Such was the fanfare that in some away games, the number of fans of NEU FC was higher than the home team.
The support and the cheer the team received led to the opposition making mistakes at crucial junctures in many games (most evident was the 3-0 drubbing of Chennaiyin FC). There have been many demands for separate states and autonomous territories in this part of the world but every person from North East India is supporting the team with all their heart. NEU FC might be bowing out of the tournament but they sure have won the hearts of the people they play for and have succeeded in uniting the 8 states.
