ISL 2019-20 | This is a new game, you have to give your best, states Khalid Jamil
ISL
Unbeaten NorthEast United's assistant coach Khalid Jamil has cautioned his side to give their best against the visiting Mumbai City FC at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati. Midfielder Milan Singh shared his thoughts on his former side and revealed Highlander's target for the season.
Eyeing the top spot in the table, unbeaten NorthEast United FC will host Mumbai City FC at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Wednesday. The Highlanders have eight points from their first four games and are fifth in the table and win will make them table toppers. On the other end, Mumbai are on a back to back losing streak and are eight on the table with four points.
However, NorthEast United's assistant coach Khalid Jamil was wary of the threat Mumbai City posses and asked for the best from his team.
“We have to think about only one thing. This is a new game. You have to give your best. We must not take this team lightly at all and give our best. We must think positive. They have good, quality Indian players and also quality foreign players. So, we should not take them lightly. They are a good side.” Khalid Jamil told reporters, at the pre-match press conference, ISL Website reported.
“We will play like we normally do. We are playing against a good team. We should not take them lightly. This is our home match. We must think positive and move ahead.”
The former I-league winning coach praised the international break and termed it as useful for everyone in the league. “The break was useful for everyone. It was useful for us as well. Everyone got a rest. So, we will start fresh now.” Jamil said.
The Highlanders Assistant coach also heaped praise on NorthEast's new signing Asamoah Gyan. The Ghanian striker has an excellent start to the season with two goals. “The motivation is definitely there playing with Gyan. He is a quality player. He has played in the World Cup. He gels well with everyone. And he also shares his experience and everyone listens to him. So, yes there are advantages of playing with him for young players,” Jamil said.
Jamil also asserted that quality in ISL improved comparing last year, “Definitely, the quality has increased. Compared to last year, it is more competitive. Everybody is within touching distance of each other. You cannot take any team lightly. So, the quality has increased,” the 42-year-old concluded.
Midfielder Milan Singh was also present at the pre-match presser with Khalid Jamil and expressed his views on his former side. The Manipur born player joined the Highlanders last summer. “(Mumbai) is a really good team. They have a good coach and we respect him. This season I am playing for a different team. So, I don’t think about the opponent. So, I just keep focusing on giving my level best for NorthEast,” he said.
The midfielder then hailed the family-like atmosphere in the NorthEast squad. “We need to go further (than we are currently). Whatever we did, we did our best. We try to give more than 100% every time. We train hard. It is like a family here. So, as a whole, we play as a team. In all the games we won, it was all about the team.”
The 27-year-old also revealed NorthEast’s target for the season “There is a lot of time in the league. It has just started. We are doing well with the squad. We want to reach the final. We want to break last season’s record and reach the final. That is our goal and belief,” the midfielder concluded.
