NorthEast United FC head coach Khalid Jamil highlighted the importance of handing more exposure to young Indian footballers for their development, as his team prepares for a tough challenge against Jamshedpur FC in their Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2021-22 match at the PJN Stadium, in Fatorda.

The Highlanders finally put an end to their 10-match winless streak and logged three points against Bengaluru FC in the previous game. With two matches left, they would be eager to churn out positive results and end the campaign on a positive note.

Jamil addressed the media during the pre-match press conference ahead of Friday’s game:

Here are the excerpts from the press conference:

NorthEast United FC defeated Bengaluru FC in the previous game. So, how are you preparing for the match?

Jamil: Talking about Jamshedpur FC, they are a very good team and we are ready for them. We have to play like the last game and hopefully, we can get positive result.

Deshorn Brown missed many matches. Do you think that the results would have been different if he had played all the matches?

Jamil: Talking about (Deshorn) Brown, it is a pleasure to have him with us. He is one of the best players in the ISL. I have said many times, we missed him. In the last match, in the presence of Brown, we won after a long time. If you have five-six players like him, we could have been the champions. I know him very well, he trains very hard, he is always involved, he never complains. Whenever I want him, he is always there. He talks to the players and guides them. It is a pleasure to have him in India.

How impressed are you with the performances of young Indian players?

Jamil: Talking about the young players, they are working hard and the improvement is definitely there. The more chances they will get, the more they will improve.

Highlanders’ striker Deshorn Brown was also present at the press conference and responded to the questions put forward.

Here are the excerpts from the player’s press conference:

Since you have been back, you have scored a lot of crucial goals. How are you looking forward to the upcoming game?

Brown: It feels good. I push myself, but it’s too late (for NorthEast United FC’s to make it to the semi-finals), but we always fight as a team till the end. Hopefully, in the last two matches, we will play well.

You have missed a lot of games, but still managed to score a lot of goals. How has the season been so far for you and your views on NorthEast United FC’s campaign this season?

Brown: As I said before, I wish I could play every match, but it did not happen. It’s football. We will try not to hand any points to the opponents in the remaining matches, that’s not what we are meant for. That’s how we play, we always stick together as a team. Grateful for the goals that I have been scoring for the team and it would have been a great season if I had played all the games. I feel okay about what I’ve contributed this season.