NorthEast United FC put on a brilliant display to stun Chennaiyin FC and register a comprehensive 3-1 victory at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Friday. The star of the night was none other than the Highlanders’ 24-year-old midfielder Seiminlen Doungel, who scored NorthEast’s first Hero Indian Super League (ISL) hat-trick ever as well as the first by an Indian this season. The ‘Hero of the Match’ spoke to indiansuperleague.com alongside teammate Halicharan Narzary after the final whistle. Here are the excerpts from the interview.

Doungel, how do you feel about your performance?

I feel great. Just awesome! We played as a team and we played hard to win this game. It was a very important win after a long time. In the last match, I missed and I wanted a record in this match and I delivered it. Thank you.

Your thoughts on NorthEast’s current form?

We are in good rhythm and we are happy to continue this performance in the coming matches.

Narzary, what are your views on your assist to Doungel?

I am so happy that I could assist my brother Len. And again, I would like to keep assisting him in the next matches. I am also happy today.

Doungel, your thoughts on NorthEast’s attacking trio?

We worked as a team and we gave our 110% for the win. We are in the lower half of the table, we have to win and three points are really important for us. So, I am happy that we played as a team, we won and we should continue this rhythm in the coming matches.

Do you think a change in the management has worked?

Of course, the new coach has come in and everything has changed. The players are enjoying the practice as well as, the technical staff is happy and we are enjoying each moment. I think that has helped us to perform as a team.

What are your plans for the upcoming away matches?

It’s hard to play away matches, but that does not mean we can’t win. If we play like a team as we did today, of course, we will win. We can win those matches.