KOHIMA — North East United FC (NEUFC) secured their first three points on the Indian Super League 2023-24 table on September 29, with a score each from Parthib Sundar Gogoi, Konsam Phalguni Singh and Asheer Aktar in their second match against Chennaiyin FC.
After losing to Mumbai City FC 1-2 in the opening home match on Sunday last, the team hit back on Friday with a resounding 3-0 win over Chennaiyin FC at Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati.
Gogoi’s long strike in the 42nd minute secured the team a 1-0 lead in the first half. Into the 48th minute of the match, midfielder Phalguni struck the second goal for NEUFC through an assist from Nestor Albiach Roger.
Defender Asheer’s distant goal for NEUFC in the 99th minute sealed the score 3-0 in favour of the Highlanders.
Post-match, NEUFC head coach Juan Pedro Benali, said that more than the scores, all the players were “strong” and followed the “game plan” as planned.
The team’s performance is “day-by-day work, starting from the first training on July 20 and every day they are building a little more,” according to Benali.
“But slowly, we will tell everyone that we are here. You should believe in us, trust us, trust all the players. They are working really hard to represent the region, the city and all NE Region,” the coach insisted.
NEUFC will play against Punjab FC in the next match on October 6, while Chennaiyin FC will clash with Mohun Bagan on October 7.
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