PRE-MATCH QUIPS: Zambrotta wants the fans to come in numbers; Vingada foresees a difficult game

Zambrotta wishes to see a stadium packed home support for their first game, urging the fans to come for the game said,

“We hope all the Delhi Dynamos FC supporters will come. It’s a special invitation to all the Delhi Dynamos FC supporters to come to the stadium and support us because we need all the support"

Vingada on playing their fifth game of thr season said,

“The league is growing. It's improving… It's been special and very intense for NorthEast United because we have already played four games in a short time and this will be our fifth game in two weeks, and for Delhi tomorrow it will only be the third game, so usually this is not happening in other leagues but as I have said we must follow the schedule and not make excuses because we have to play and we will be playing a good team who is playing in front of their home fans for the first time"

Speaking about the threat from the opposition NEUFC said,

“NorthEast United FC play defensively but are very good on the counter with Alfaro, Velez and Katsumi. We are doing our best to avoid such attacks.”

In the same subject, Vingada said about their opposition,

“They had two good results away beating Chennaiyin 3-1 and a draw against Kerala. So I am telling my players how important this game is and as usual it will be very difficult. We have seen how our players have recovered after these four games and in the last game against Pune we played with ten men for almost an hour, so it was a strong effort and a lot of energy spent. But I believe with our effort, character and heart I am sure we can play a good game.”

Accompanying the head coach was Lions goalie Doblas. Speaking on the form of their rivals said,

“The new NorthEast United FC team is better than last season. They are more organized and a complete team. So we have to take precautions because it will be difficult. It is our first game at home so we have to try to win"

Vingada having vast experience in coaching teams in different leagues in various countries, commenting on the impact ISL has made to India said,

“You know everything for me is new here… When I came I was very excited to find out the level of football and for me it was a good surprise…When I started working and started recognising the talent and potential of Indian players, it was a nice and good surprise."

 He continued,
 
“Maybe it was a league for veterans in 2014 but if you look at the teams now, the average age for all teams has decreased a lot and if you go to Italy or the Premier League you can find many players who are more than 34, 35 and 36…This league is here to bring Indian football to a higher level so it will be important to decrease the age of players but it's equally important to have older players as they are bringing something special too,”

Zambrotta, talking about the ISL concept shared his view with some good pointers on improvement said,

“ISL is at a very good level. You can only keep improving the level of ISL but you need to start improving from the base. The concept is very important, of foreign players coming to India to play and to teach as well. If they come towards the end of their career or come here thinking it’s a holiday it’s no good for the Indian players. They are more than welcome to play professionally and to teach as well. It is important to have very good scouting as well to find good talent. It is also important to have good coaches so these coaches can teach the players,”

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