NorthEast United FC got their 2016 Hero Indian Super League campaign underway with a 1-0 win against Kerala Blasters FC at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Saturday. After a cagey first half, the Highlanders started the second period on the front foot and were rewarded 10 minutes into the half when Nicolas Velez danced past Sandesh Jhingan to send in a dangerous low cross into the box, which Katsumi Yusa converted to give his side a winning start to the season. Velez spoke to indiansuperleague.com in an exclusive interview after the match. Here are the excerpts from the interview.This was the first match for you this season and what was the overall experience?Every game will be very tough for us. Especially the first game is very important for the team to start in the right way with three points. So now we are looking forward to the next game.What about your assist for Katsumi, you got past Jhingan with ease?Yes, yes. We try to help the team as much as we can. When I get the ball I see the space, I always try to cross because I know one of our players will be there. Maybe Emiliano Alfaro, maybe Katsumi or Holicharan Narzary. So we know something. Most of the time we have two or three players inside the box so we have to cross.What is your personal ambition this season?I don’t like to think for myself, I always think for the team. But of course with the team, I want to qualify for the semis, this is what I’m targeting right now. Personally, I try to help my team as much as I can, like today everyone wanted to see me score some goals. This is my job so I try to do my job.This is your second season in the Hero ISL. How important do you think your experience is for the team?Yes, we try to use our experience from last season especially with the new players. We know it’s very important to start the league with three points because last season in the first 2-3 game we didn’t get the point and in the end maybe that made the difference. So we try to use our experience to help the young boys.
