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ISL 2019: NorthEast United FC new coach Jarni motivated to boost team performance
NorthEast United FC has started their pre-season preparation for the upcoming season of Indian Super League (ISL) under the watchful eyes of newly-appointed head coach Robert Jarni at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati.
NorthEast United FC has started their pre-season preparation for the upcoming season of Indian Super League (ISL) under the watchful eyes of newly-appointed head coach Robert Jarni at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati. Last season, the John Abraham-owned team representing the Northeast states made it to the first-ever ISL semi-finals. The team now will look to better their performance. Jarni comes with an illustrious profile, having bagged a World Cup bronze medal as a player for Croatia and at the same time turning out for the biggest European clubs like Real Madrid and Juventus amongst others.
“It is a big challenge for me and I am ready. Last season, we have made into the semi-final and this time, we want to progress further," newly-appointed head coach Robert Jarni said on Friday.
The team will fly to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on September 6 to continue their preparation for the upcoming season and will return for the final leg of pre-season in the first week of October. NorthEast United FC will face defending champions Bengaluru FC in their opening game on October 21 in Bengaluru.
NEUFC has retained the services of talismanic midfielder Federico Gallego and also recruited prolific Argentinian Striker Maximiliano Barreiro to lead the line this season. Joining them in forming a formidable attacking trio is 21-year-old Uruguayan Martin Chaves, who becomes the youngest South American to join NEUFC. The club has also retained the services of several key Indian players such as Pawan Kumar, Redeem Tiang, Laithathanga Khawlhring amongst others while bringing in young talents like Rakesh Pradhan (Assam), Nim Dorjee (Sikkim) and teenagers Ninthoi Meetei (Manipur) and Lalengmawia (Mizoram).
Meanwhile, NEUFC’s Head of Youth Development Khalid Jamil is restructuring the youth setup for the club. The club plans to field U-13, U-15, U-18, and a reserve side this year in order to create a sustainable youth system which delivers a platform for youngsters to make it to the senior team in due course. Selection and trials for these junior teams have been going on since last month and final selection will be done by the first week of September.
