ISL Team Preview: NorthEast United FC

When it comes to football in India, none can match the passion possessed by the people in the North Eastern parts of our country. Adding the North Eastern flavour to the ISL will be the team owned by John Abraham and Shillong Lajong FC (I-League Club) which is named as NorthEast United FC.

Based in Guwahati, the club is exclusively the home team for the north eastern states which can be clearly evident by the crest/logo, which has eight stars that represents each of the eight states (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Tripura) in the region.

Managed by New Zealander Ricki Herbert, who left his job with Wellington Phoenix in 2013, World Cup and Euro 2008 winning Spanish left-back Joan Capdevilla is the club’s marquee signing.

NorthEast United FC Squad:

Goal Keepers:

Alexandros Tzorvas

Kunzang Bhutia

Rehenesh TP

Defenders:

Aiborlang Khongjee

Jibon Singh

Massamba Lo Sambou

Jaon Capdevilla

Miguel Angelo Moita Garcia

Pritam Kumar Singh

Robin Gurung

Tomas Josl

Midfielder:

Alen Deory

Boithang Haokip

David Ngaihte

Do Dong-Hyun

Guilherme Felipe de Castro

Isaac Chansa

Kondwani Mtonga

Milan Singh

Zodingliana

Forwards:

Cornell Glen

Durga Boro

James Keene

Luis Alfredo Yanes Padilla

Radeem Thang

Seiminlen Doungel

Sergio Contreras

NorthEast United come into the ISL as massive underdogs without any big names in their team sheet. Their hopes lie on their local players who play together in the local leagues. Their notable signing is English striker James Keene, who has spent the majority of his career playing in Sweden after leaving Portsmouth in 2006, as well as Zambian Africa Cup of Nations winner Isaac Chansa and Greek international goalkeeper Alexandros Tzorvas.

NorthEast United Schedule:

13 October- Kerala Blasters (H)

16 October- Atletico de Kolkata (H)

19 October- FC Goa (A)

24 October- Mumbai City FC (A)

29 October- Delhi Dynamos (A)

3 November- Pune City (A)

8 November- Chennaiyin FC (A)

15 November- Pune City (H)

18 November- Atletico de Kolkata (A)

24 November- Delhi Dynamos (H)

27 November- Chennaiyin FC (H)

1 December- FC Goa (A)

4 December- Kerala Blasters (A)

10 December- Mumbai City (A)

Indra Gandhi Stadium will host the home matches for NorthEast United FC.