Emiliano Alfaro has been an integral cog in the well-oiled NorthEast United FC machinery in the 2016 Hero Indian Super League. Having spearheaded the attack for the Highlanders in all their five matches this season, Alfaro will once again be expected to deliver on Thursday when NorthEast host Chennaiyin FC at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati. The Uruguayan striker’s four goals have been the catalyst behind his side’s rise to the summit of the table in Hero ISL 2016. He heads into Thursday’s clash with a shooting accuracy of 83% having registered ten shots on target. The 28-year-old, who has also provided five key passes this season, spoke to indiansuperleague.com ahead of their match against the Super Machans. Here are the excerpts from the interview.NorthEast have had a great start to the season. What has been the biggest factor behind it?I think there is a mix of things. The group we have is most important, they are fantastic and are working very hard for the team and I think this is also very important to have on the field. And I will say our quality and power to fight (is a big factor).Having scored four goals in five matches what is your personal ambition?I think the four goals count also for our wins at home and outside. This is important for me and the team. The most important thing is winning for the team. So, if I score and can help the team win, it is important to me. We can score many but if we don’t win then we don’t get points so that’s not good. So, I want to score and make my team win.Thursday’s match will be your sixth game in 20 days. How is the team staying focussed and fit?The team is in good condition and I know we have played many games in a short time but for this game we have had five days to recover and are in good condition.Who do you think will be Chennaiyin’s biggest threat on Thursday night?I think it is the whole team. Chennai have got very good players and a strong team. They have a very good coach. He has had a very good career and he has also instilled his beliefs and values very well in them. So, for this I say we got to take care of all of them.Your thoughts on your head coach, Nelo Vingada’s philosophy?Many things but the most important I think is the mentality which he has shown us and as I said earlier our spirit to fight as a group.
