Indian Super League team guide: NorthEast United FC

The team represents all the eight sister states of north-east as hence has a motto of ‘8 states. 1 united.’

Actor John Abraham with Northeast United FC;s marquee player Joan Capdevilla. (Source: PTI)

The inaugural season of the Indian Super League kicks off tomorrow (Sunday) as Atletico de Kolkata take on Mumbai City FC at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. With so much hype surrounding the tournament, indianexpress.com takes an in-depth look at all the eight teams featuring in this tournament. Today we take a look at NorthEast United FC

‘8 states. 1 united’, is the motto of the team from the northeastern part of India which as the motto indicates, is spread over eight states. The north-east is a place where football trumps all other sports. It is an area renowned for churning out prominent Indian talents like legendary Indian captain Bhaichung Bhutia.

Owned by Bollywood actor John Abraham and Shilling Lajong Fc, a team from the I-league, the Guwahati franchise enters the tournament as somewhat of a dark horse.

NorthEast United have signed on former New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert as manager. Herbert managed the New Zealand national setup from 2005-2013, and even managed to secure the countries second ever qualification for a World Cup in 2010, where he managed to mastermind three draws in the three games they played, including a draw against the Italians.

The club was quick to sign former European and World Cup winner Joan Capdevilla as their marquee signing. A product of Espanyol’s youth system, the Spanish international has made over 300 hundred La Liga appearances for clubs such as Atletico Madrid, Deportivo and Villareal.

Other international recruits include Zambians Isaac Chansa and Kondwani Mtonga, the former was part of the team that lifted the African Confederations Cup in 2012. Both players have experienced football in the sub continent, as they are part of the Shillong Lajong contingent brought in to the team. The Guwahati club have also signed Trinidad and Tobago veteran striker Cornell Glen who was an integral part of the squad that played in the 2006 World Cup.

Glen’s ally up front is likely to be Englishman James Keene, a product of the Portsmouth youth system. However, he has spent most of his playing career with Swedish outfit Elfsborg, becoming their all time top goal scorer.

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Boithang Haokip is the most exciting Indian prospect in the side. The Lajong attacking midfielder is best known for his dead ball accuracy and has been a consistent performer for the I-League outfit. He could really benefit from playing under the tutelage of Herbet.

NorthEast United have placed a lot of emphasis on local youth like defenders Aiborlang Khongjee, Robing Gurung and Jibon Singh, along with midfielders David Ngaithe, Alen Deory and strikers Durga Boro and Redeem Tlang. Tlang is a pacy forward who could be used as an impact substitute towards the end of matches.

Known for producing fast players, expect this team to play a quick tempo game throughout the tournament. NorthEast United boast the youngest squad in the tournament and it remains to be seen if they can mount a serious challenge for the title.

Indian Players to watch out for

Boithang Haokip, Aiborlang Khongjee, David Ngaithe, Redeem Tlang

Possible Lineups (4-4-2) – Alexandros Tzorvas (GK), (RB), Joan Capdevilla (LB), Aiborlang Khongjee (CB), Massamba Sambou (CB), Isaac Chansa (CM), Milan Singh (CM), David Ngaithe (LM), Boithang Haokip (RM), James Keene (F), Cornell Glen (F)

Full Squad:

Goalkeepers: Alexandros Tzorvas (Gre), Kunzang Bhutia, Rehnesh TP (Ind)

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Defenders: Joan Capdevilla (Esp), Jibon Singh, Aiborlang Khongjee, Pritam Kumar Singh, Robin Gurung (Ind), Tomas Josl (Cze), Massamba Sambou (Senegal), Miguel Garcia (Por),

Midfielders: Isaac Chansa, Kondwani Mtonga (Zambia), Do Dong-Hyun (S.Kor), Guilherme Castro (Bra) Alen Deory, David Ngaithe, Boithang Haokip, Milan Singh, Zodingliana (Ind)

Forwards: James Keene (Eng), Sergio Pardo (Esp), Pedro Gusmao (Bra), Redeem Tlang, Durga Boro, Seiminlen Doungel (Ind), Cornell Glen (T&T), Luis Padilla (Col)