NORTHEAST UNITED FC: FROM UNDERDOGS TO DARK HORSE

 A 9^th position finish in last season. Core team changed, coach changed. No one thought they stand a cance. But what a show they are putting on. Here are some reasons that are driving the team.
 

After a semi-final finish in 2018-‘19 season NEUFC went through a devastating season in 2019-’20 season.  They decided to go through many important and tough changes. They released almost all their major players including international stars like Asamoah Gyan, appointed 35 year old Spanish coach Gerard Nus as the head coach, the youngest ever coach in ISL history, a team full of youngsters-  shape of the team got changed. Very few saw any bright chance in them to better their positional record this season.

Well, too soon to predict their final stand though, but they are going through some real jaw dropping form this season, securing  9 points after 5 matches holding to 2^nd position. They are one of the only two teams still unbeaten in the tournament. These are some reasons behind their brilliant run.

 

Gerard Nus Masterclass:

The youth of the coach has gone to their goods actually. The super enthusiastic coach seems to be never ready to give up. And his awesome bonding with every player is seen every time, that helps him to force his team and keep good connection and understanding with everyone. His tactical brilliance is also seen again and again. After a moderate first half in the opening match against the title contender Mumbai City FC, as he gets a little chance after Jahouh saw red card, ne immediately got into attacking mode to cause a big upset. He uses his strong forwards, Appiah and Sylla to hold the ball when needed and pushes his youngsters to use their tremendous speed to turn defense into attack with no time. This shows how brilliantly he has read his team and its strengths and weak zones. That is why, be it team trailing or any other critical situation, he has been able to pull his team up again and again.

 

Young guns firing all the way:

Lalengmawia (23), Gurmat Singh (21), Rochhazella (22), Provat Lakra (23), Rakesh Pradhan (23) and at last but not the least, 19 years old Ninthoinganba Meetei- lots of young names that have came up in their line ups. Lalengmawia has been quite a performer in Mid-field starting regularly for them. The bullet run and goal from Rochahazella against SC East Bengal will be remembered for long and just the next match he starts against Bengaluru FC and stuns again everyone with an outstanding assist. And at last, Ninthoi, no complement is enough for this teen. One of the best Indian performers till now this season. His pace down the flank, control over ball, positioning sense, crossing, passing, skills- everything looked to be splendid. Be it defending, be it controlling the ball coming to mid-field when team needs he has always been there keeping with his head high again and again. He has simply outclassed everyone in the team surely.  Their young goalkeeper is also doing more than just all right replacing the injured regular goalie subhasis. Well, they have many more youngsters in their tank.

 

Stubborn, Rough and Tough Defending:

Lambot, Asutosh Mehta, D. Fox,  Gurjinder Kumar in defense; Camara dropping as defensive midfield role been proved to be pretty tough for opponents to break into. Stalwart attitude, no nonsense defense has let very few shots to be fired towards their goal in most of the matches: only 6 on target shots by the opponents in their first 4 matches. Meetei dropping to right back also helped at times. And talking about bonus from defense? They know how to link up with forwards and initiate counter in split seconds. Lambot is been exceptional of all in defense.

 

Team Spirit:

Dedication, determination, communication, understanding and above all a super healthy relation between each and everyone will catch your eyes again and again in this team. And this superb bonding reflects in their pitch always. Everyone motivating, inspiring, instructing everyone freely always, be it any condition. Be it between coach and players, coach and staffs, staffs and players and mainly Indian and foreign players- this beautiful environment helped them complement each other again and again. Really a treat to watch them together.

 

A Bit of Luck:

Well, interesting point, but their luck has also helped them in scripting their fates in some matches. So, I can’t help mentioning it. They looked very much out of the match in the opening game when Jahouh was sent off, a 50-50 decision gone their way according to commentators, which surely helped them immensely to beat the present league leaders. Against SC East Bengal though it may look like a convincing win, but it wasn’t. They escaped one sure penalty and another 50-50 one also an own goal gifted by the opponent. One or two lucky goals too here and there too. So, luck has served them quite well. But well, luck always favours the braves they say. And they have been brave enough, absolutely no doubt about that. Must mention, getting their regular goalkeeper Subhasis Roy Chowdhury injured for a long term, that’s been a bad luck too.

 

Finally, the strong, consistent and experienced performance from Machedo, Appiah and Sylla (all of them in top five goal scorer list at the moment) and pretty good contributions from other Indians like V.P. Suher, Lalrempuia sums up their persistent and spirited campaign so far.

 

Tags: ISL, NORTHEAST UNITED FC, GERARD NUS, MUMBAI CITY FC, ASAMOAH GYAN, SC EAST BENGAL, INDIAN SUPER LEAGUE, INDIAN FOOTBALL, NINTHOI, LALENGMAWIA, ROCHHARZELLA, APPIAH, SYLLA, MACHEDO, DYLAN FOX, LAMBOT, CAMARA, JAHOUH

An Article By: Arpan Purkait