NorthEast United's David Ngaihte.

David Ngaihte shares his thoughts and views on NorthEast United’s first game in the ISL. The midfielder, who played the entire 90 minutes, was ecstatic after his first game for NorthEast United FC. He spoke to IndianSuperLeague.com in an exclusive post match interview. 

How does it feel to play in front of such a supportive crowd?

It’s overwhelming and unbelievable. The support of the home crowd makes us even stronger. We want to use that and keep the momentum going. Our focus now is on the next game.

The game was pretty evenly contested, wouldn’t you say?

Yes it was. Kerala have players like Penn Orji, who have been playing in India for a few years now. They have vast experience in players like Mehtab Hossian, operating in the centre of the field. It was an evenly contested game, but we’re happy we came out with a win, considering a number of our players started cramping up towards the end.

How does it feel playing alongside players like Capdevila?

It is an amazing feeling. I can’t find emotions to express it, because we have watched them play on the television when they played in the World Cup or Euro’s. You wouldn’t imagine, even in your wildest dreams, that you would be playing with them, shaking hands and hugging them. It’s pretty unreal.

What does this platform mean to you?

You know talks of the ISL have been going around for a year. Everyone was excited but no one knew when it would finally happen. If you go back to the opening ceremony yesterday, it was so well done. Even for us Indian players, we have talent, and now there’s scope to showcase it. The level of quality in the game will go up, and so will the quality in the national team.

And now, a word about your captain yesterday?

He is by far the coolest captain I have seen or played under in my life!

And a word to describe the crowd that came to watch you play?

As I said earlier, the support is unbelievable. It makes you want to go out there and play another 90 minutes. I would like to request them to keep it going strong, and even those who cannot come to the ground to watch us, can continue to show their love by watching us on television and on social networking sites. NorthEast United FC rocks!