Following a decent point at home against a strong FC Goa side, NorthEast United FC travel to Kolkata on Wednesday in hope of inflicting a second successive defeat on hosts ATK at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. Despite fielding an entirely new unit, NorthEast gave a good account of themselves in their season opener, which was one of the many positives that head coach Eelco Schattorie can look to build upon.

Ahead of his side’s second game of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2018-19 season, indiansuperleague.com caught up with the Highlanders’ young winger Nikhil Kadam, who returns to Kolkata in less than a year after having played for Hero I-League club Mohun Bagan last season. Here are the excerpts:

This is your first season in Hero ISL. How are you feeling?

I feel good. Since it’s my first season, I want to play well and prove myself.

How does working with Eelco Schattorie feel?

It feels good. Everyone is doing hard work and they are working how the coach wants them to.

Did you gain more confidence after your performance in the last match?

Yeah, I have got confidence. Since it was the first match, there was pressure, but I played well so I have gained some confidence.

On the match against ATK.

The team is doing a lot of hard work. In four days we are playing two matches. Everyone will try to give 100 percent. ATK have lost their last match so they will be up for it as well.

How do you feel coming back to Kolkata after playing with Mohun Bagan last season?

It feels very good. Last year, Mohun Bagan fans supported very well and Kolkata fans showed their support as well. This season, I have come here to play with NorthEast United and I hope they support NorthEast this time around.