NorthEast United FC travel to the Sree Kanteerava Stadium to take on Bengaluru FC in Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 on Friday. The Highlanders pulled off a surprise in their last match when they upset Chennaiyin FC 3 – 1 to secure maximum points. One of their most consistent performers this season has been their Brazilian midfielder Marcinho, who has bagged a couple of goals and an assist for the visitors till date. The 31-year-old spoke to indiansuperleague.com prior to Friday’s encounter and shared his thoughts. Here are the excerpts from the interview.

Tell us about your footballing journey. Where did it all start for you?

Football was on my mind since I was a five-year-old kid, and football in Brazil in natural. You don’t push too much. You just play football and if it is there to happen, it will happen. And I’m so happy to be a professional footballer. I am enjoying my life. I do what I like to do and I’m very happy.

Now that you are playing in the Hero ISL, how has your journey been so far?

I have come to India to have a good experience. I have come and seen that they have a good championship, and I am enjoying the championship. But, I’m not very happy because our team did not get many points in the first round. I hope that now we all rise as a team and qualify to play more games this season.

How is the dressing room atmosphere after that 3 – 1 win against Chennaiyin FC?

We expected a good game and we got the three points. It was very important for us because Chennai are at the top of the league. Now, we have the confidence to play the next game.

Going into the game against Bengaluru FC, who is that one Indian player you would want to have on your team?

According to me, I think one of the best Indian players is Sunil Chhetri of Bengaluru FC. He is a good player.

What are your plans going into the game?

It would be the same as the one we used against Chennai. We have to work hard, but we can get the three points if we play our way.