NorthEast United FC are on a high after their incredible triumph in the Durand Cup and young attacking midfielder Parthib Gogoi is gunning for more as they set their sights on the Indian Super League (ISL) campaign.

The Highlanders won the first trophy at the national level defeating Mohun Bagan Super Giant on penalties on their own patch and will travel to Kolkata again to face Mohammedan SC in their opening match. 

Gogoi who has earned a reputation for scoring spectacular long-range goals feels the team is in the perfect mental state heading into the new season. 

“We have high motivation after winning the Durand Cup. But the Durand Cup is past for us. We have all our focus set for the ISL,” Gogoi told indiansuperleague.com at the ISL Media Day in Kolkata. 

“Our target is to win the ISL Shield, ISL Cup, and the upcoming Super Cup. We have completed just one step. Now we have to work on small details and try to cover small mistakes. You will see a new NorthEast United FC this year,” he added. 

The Highlanders delivered an excellent campaign in the Durand Cup where they were flawless till the final, conceding just one goal. But they found themselves in trouble in the final as they went 2-0 down to the Mariners, the defending Shield winners.

But the Highlanders produced a remarkable comeback to draw level and take the cup on penalties. Gogoi credited head coach Juan Pedro Benali for always backing the players to come good for the comeback in the final. 

“Our head coach is very supportive. Sometimes when we have a bad game, he is the first one to come and say ‘Don’t worry son, your best is yet to come’. He motivates us on and off the field,” he said. 

The victory helped NorthEast United FC silence some critics and have been feeling the love of the fans ahead of the new ISL season.

“Jithin MS and I always stay together. Last season, people were criticising him but this season he is performing at the next level. I wish he could continue to play like this,” Gogoi said.

“We got a warm welcome at the airport in Guwahati. All the fans were really happy like us. But it’s past and we’re focusing on the ISL,” he added.

Gogoi will look to add to his goal tally from last season but refused to disclose what numbers he is aiming to hit this campaign. 

“Yes, for this season I have already set goals for myself. But I don’t want to disclose this now. I’ll try to score in every match and let's see what happens,” he signed off.

Sometimes pressure is good: Benali

NorthEast United FC head coach has warned his team that the ISL season will bring different challenges to his team as compared to the Durand Cup and they would need to stick to the game plan to enjoy success.

“Every game and championship is a different story. The ISL is totally different from the Durand Cup,” Benali told indiansuperleague.com at the ISL Media Day in Kolkata.

“In the ISL it's a long long long run. And to run long you need to go step by step. And the first step is Mohammedan SC,” he added. 

“It's the most difficult game in the ISL for us as it's our first game. It won't be easy for both games. They want to show that they want to do very well in the ISL. For us, it's important to keep going and to focus and not to pretend that we're big,” he continued. 

The expectations have heightened after the Highlanders’ Durand Cup win, but Benali has welcomed that pressure.

“Sometimes, pressure is very good. It's good for staying focused on what you're doing. We need pressure, we need those little bit of scary moments to get focused and keep going in the right direction,” he said. 

“It's very important for everyone to understand that if we work hard and do the gameplans we have and play with the way we want we can win the games,” he added. 

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Parthib GogoiNorthEast United FC