As the 2024–25 Indian Super League (ISL) is set to commence with the 11th season of ISL and the 29th season of the top division premier football in India, all eyes are on Northeast United FC.
NEUFC has started training ahead of the ISL season and is set to play the Durand Cup. On 21st July, the team underwent an open training under the head coach Juan Pedro Benali with assistant coach Naushad Moosa on the sidelines guiding the team. Further, the first team interacted with the loyal supporters to boost the team morale ahead of the season.
CEO Mandar Tamhane has stated that this is a process that the NEUFC has undergone to develop the grassroots along with winning trophies for the first team. Speaking to The Daily Guardian, Mandar Tamhane stated, “We are participating in majorly three competitions and the goal is to win all three. We want to win and that's our main goal.” Along with winning trophies with the first team, NEUFC's vision is to tap into the raw talent of footballers in Northeast India. “If you see the Indian market, I feel we are in a region with one of the best talent. If we do well for the next three years with the youth teams, we will have a plethora of talent. That's why we have a short-term and a long-term goal. Through our scouting network, we have scouted 23 players from the region and that's something we feel is taking us in the right direction,” added Mandar Tamhane.
Captain Michel Zabaco is set to lead the team for another thrilling season with local lad Parthib Gogoi set to improve from his previous season. Parthib Gogoi ahs urged the local fans to show their support for the club and has stated that the agenda for the season is to “win, win and win.”
Northeast India has been a home to footballers and footballing talent since time immemorial. This is the land that has produced Talimeren Ao, who was an Indian footballer and physician from Nagaland. He is best known as the captain of the Indian national football team in their first-ever match after independence. As such, NEUFC has banked on the local potential with a mixed bag of foreign and experienced Indian players.
