The last-place finish in the inaugural season of Indian Super League (ISL) doesn’t justify the amount of talent NorthEast United FC (NEUFC) have got. They are one club which represents an entire region of the country and have a huge fanbase in the eight north-eastern states of India.
One unique thing about the club during the first season was that while others were going for big foreign players, NEUFC signed big names from the region and focused on developing the young squad. And they aren't deviating from it in Season 2.
The team, led by Spain’s World Cup-winning member Joan Capdevila, made a good start last season by defeating eventual runners-up Kerala Blasters FC in their opening match but after that their performance saw a huge dip and they finished bottom of the table with just three wins, five losses and six draws.
The club showed some good football in patches but were not able to produce wins consistently. They got a huge support at home in Guwahati where the stadium was almost full in every match. Their 3-0 win at home against last year’s semi-finalist Chennaiyin FC was their best performance in the first season.
NEUFC had a creative midfield and they got a good backing from their defenders but their forward line lacked the firepower and failed to convert many good chances into goals at very crucial moments. The failure to score goals hurt them badly and the inexperience in the team was clearly visible as they lost some games in the dying moments of the match after taking the lead. Their striker Koke was the top scorer for the team with four goals as they finished the league with 15 points.
Despite the poor show last year, the 'Highlanders' have not made drastic changes in their squad and have retained seven players, including two foreigners, from last year. During the auction they didn't make big purchases and the biggest player they signed was the highly-rated Manipuri winger Seityasen Singh.
The club, though, has made some big signings from Europe and Latin America and have got a very experienced Venezuelan coach Cesar Farias as their new team manager.
NEUFC begin their ISL 2015 campaign away from home when they take on Kerala Blasters at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on October 6.
Here is a look at the club’s squad before the start of ISL season 2:
Strengths: The biggest strength of the club is that most of the players know each other well and have played together. This will help them coordinate on the field knowing each other's strengths and weaknesses. The huge crowd support will also work in their favour and the fans from north-east showed last year that they come out in large numbers to support the local heroes no matter how the result.
NEUFC's new coach, Farias - who guided Venezuela to the semis of Copa America, could turn things around for the team this year. Farias, 52, has the distinction of taking Venezuela to their first win over Brazil and he also guided Venezuala to FIFA U-20 World Cup qualification in 2009. The decision to replace Ricki Herbert with Farias could work in team's favour because the Venezuelan is a big fan of Latin American style of football and his playing style, which involves possession play, will be suitable for the team.
NEUFC made some major signings and announced former Portuguese star Simao Sabrosa as their marquee player for the second season. They also roped in former Newcastle United and Fulham poacher Diomansy Kamara, Ghana's Francis Dadzie and Argentine Nicolas Velez. One major transfer they made this season was to get French goalkeeper Gennaro Bracigliano, who had an impressive season last year with Chennaiyin FC.
Weaknesses: Lack of experienced players is still their biggest weakness. The club's policy of buying young players from north-east regions is a good move to develop young talent but it is hurting their chances of winning in ISL. The average age of the team is only 24 and although the club has signed some experienced foreign player this season, there are very few senior Indian players in the team.
Signings of Diomansy Kamara and Nicolas Velez will add some class to their forward line but their attack stands nowhere when compared to clubs like Atletico de Kolkata, Delhi Dynamos and Chennaiyin FC. Converting opportunities created by the midfield into goals and not conceding goals during crucial moments will be a major task for NEUFC.
Marquee Player: NEUFC's new marquee player, Sabrosa, brings in a huge experience of playing at the club and international levels. The 35-year-old left-winger from Portugal has played for Spanish football giants Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. Simao signed for Atletico for five years in 2007 and won the Europa Cup and UEFA Super League with the club. He was a regular member in the Portuguese squad and has played 85 matches and scored 22 goals. He has appeared in 486 club matches and has scored an impressive 102 goals.
Other players to watch out for:
Nicolas Velez: The River Plate academy product is coming to NEUFC from the S League of Singapore. The 25-year-old Velez was a big star in the S League where he scored 29 goals in 38 appearances last year. His playing style is very similar to that of Arsenal's star player Alexis Sanchez and the two-footed Argentine will help the club improve its weak attack.
Boithang Haokip: 24-year-old Haokip is regarded as one of the most talented Indian footballers and his role in the centre midfield will be crucial for the club. Haokip played for Shillong Lajong in the I-League and is known as a free-kick specialist. He likes to play in the centre of the midfield but can play on the wings and also as a full-back.
Full squad
Goalkeepers: Gennaro Bracigliano, Lalthuammawia Ralte, Rehenesh TP
Defenders: Cédric Hengbart, Miguel Garcia, Marlangki Suting, Reagan Singh, Robin Gurung, Aiborlang Khongjee, Yumnam Raju, Zohmingliana Ralte
Midfielders: Simao Sabrosa (Marquee), Silas, Boithang Haokip, Seityasen Singh, Siam Hangal, Alan Deory, Kondwani Mtonga, Bruno Herrero Arias, Sanju Pradhan
Forwards: Diomansy Kamara, Boubacar Sanogo, Nicolas Velez, Holicharan Narzary, Francis Dadzie.
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