GUWAHATI, Sept 26 - Unperturbed by the late start to their preparations and two injury woes, NorthEast United FC head coach, Nelo Vingada is all geared up to give a tough challenge to any opponent in the 3rd edition of Indian Super League (ISL).
In an interview to The Assam Tribune, Vingada talked about a number of aspects surrounding his team as well the preparations for the much awaited ISL which kicks off on October 1, at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Sarusajai here.
Regarding any injury worries in the side, Vingada said: �Yes we do have two players injured. Unfortunately, for us Fabio Neves who came from Korea, he joined us in the UAE but in the second match he had an injury and cannot play for the next four to five months, he needs to be replaced. Sasha Aneff too got injured in the first friendly match but it�s not so serious and he should be alright by the second week.�
Being asked regarding the morale in the camp, the coach said: �The morale is good in the camp, before starting any league the expectations are always there. It�s a new season, new challenge, new staff and some new players. Not only foreign players but we have a few Indian players who have joined. Our main objective is to fight from first second until the last.�
Nicknamed, the �Professor�, the 63 year-old Portuguese has had a long innings of almost 35 years in coaching. In this time, he has won a number of trophies for clubs and countries.
Regarding his experience in India, he said: �The amount of enthusiasm here is just great. I am feeling something that I never felt before in different places like in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Korea or Japan. Today, everybody could see the amount of enthusiasm here as the way people made their way to the ticket counters.�
