‘Need to believe in ourselves,’ says NEUFC coach ahead of clash with Mumbai City FC

GUWAHATI — Even as NorthEast United Football Club NEUFC) is all set to clash with Mumbai City FC on Sunday, their first match of the ISL season 2023-24, the club’s head coach Juan Pedro Benali has just one message for his players – to believe in themselves.

The club has “good” players and “deserve to win,” Benali said during a press conference on Sept. 21 in Guwahati. He was accompanied by CEO NEUFC Mandar Tamhane, assistant coach Naushad Moosa and players Parthib Sundar Gogoi, Mishad Michu and Miguel Zabaco.

“We just need one thing to believe. If we believe in us, if we believe we can achieve, we will do it,” the coach said ahead of Sunday’s match.

Mumbai City FC is a “good team” to play against with and the match will definitely reveal where the club stands, he said.

“We are working hard to stoke strength and to use our strength against them,” he added.

The 20-year-old forward of NEUFC, Parthib Sundar Gogoi, said they will go step by step and concentrate on their first game with the Mumbai City FC.

Defender Miguel Zabaco Tomé also said that the team was working hard to take on Mumbai City.

Sunday’s match will be played at Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati, at 8 pm.

Also read: NorthEast United FC envisions day boarding schools in Nagaland