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KOHIMA — NorthEast United FC (NEUFC) will begin their Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season with an away match against newly promoted Mohammedan SC at Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Monday at 7:30 pm.
The Highlanders will return to Kolkata for the first time since their Durand Cup victory and will be aiming for a strong start to the new campaign. Meanwhile, Mohammedan will be making their debut in the ISL after securing promotion as I-League champions last season.
During the pre-match press conference on Saturday, NEUFC head coach Juan Pedro Benali described the upcoming match as "dangerous" and "difficult" for several reasons.
Benali noted that they will be facing a strong team with talented players and a skilled coach and emphasised the importance of sticking to their game plan and remaining calm.
He further said that Mohammedan SC would be eager to defeat North East United FC, especially after NEUFC won the Durand Cup. He added that several players from Mohammedan SC previously played for North East United FC and would want to prove their worth.
When asked about his team's approach to the season opener, he noted that each game has its own story and mentioned that football requires a balance between attack and defence rather than focussing solely on one aspect.
Mirshad Michu, the team’s goalkeeper, expressed that the team is in high spirits and is a close-knit group. He noted that the pre-season started two months ago and highlighted the strong camaraderie among the three goalkeepers—Gurmeet Singh, Dipesh Chauhan, and himself.
Michu added that they consistently support one another and are guided by their coaches. They also share observations about each other's performances to ensure mutual support.
Also read: NEUFC to enter ISL season with Durand Cup confidence