NorthEast United FC assistant coach Alison Kharsyntiew believes that their upcoming match against Kerala Blasters FC will be a tough one, even though the Tuskers lost their opening fixture in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2021-22 against ATK Mohun Bagan.

Having fielded an all-Indian back four, the Highlanders also succumbed to a 2-4 loss against a well drilled Bengaluru FC side last week. Deshorn Brown, who scored a goal, was the most impressive player for them in the game and will hold the key against a Blasters side who have been vulnerable defensively.

Ahead of Thursday's match, Alison Kharsyntiew, the assistant coach of NorthEast United FC addressed the media during the pre-match press conference.

Here are the excerpts from the press conference:

You are set to play Kerala Blasters FC. They did not have the best of starts. What are your views about them?

Even though Kerala Blasters FC lost the first game, they are a very good side, you know, with a good coach and some of the good players. And yeah, So we have to prepare very well tomorrow. We have to go out there, you know, with a strong mentality and do our best in every department, in attacking, defending and hopefully give our best so that we'll get the three points at the end of the game, but it will be a tough, tough match against them.

What are the reasons for the high-scoring games in the early stages of the ISL?

I think for me, there are two reasons. First the teams are trying to go all out in the first game, trying to win the game, to get many goals. Because, the target is to go and play attacking football, you know, do the best we can in the first game to get the three points. And then, like these things happen in football, you know, and the first game is always an important game.

You have one of the youngest squads in the ISL, how much of a challenge has it been to prepare the team?

The most important thing, like for the young players, it's to always encourage them, you know, and whatever mistakes they make in the game, we try to help them, analyze it, try to work on the weakness, to improve their game. Our main motto is to encourage them day by day, so that they keep improving and they go confidently in the game.

Subhasish Roy, one of the skippers for NorthEast United FC in the season, was present in the press conference and also addressed the media.

Here are the excerpts:

How is the mood in the dressing room after the loss to Bengaluru FC, especially the Indian defenders, who played the back four?

We lost 4-0, we did not feel good. But, It was the first match and after 10 months, it was very difficult to adjust to the situation. Yes, we played after 10 months, but we realised our mistake and what we did on the ground. In the next match, we will try to improve on that mistake and we will give our 100% and try to get the three points.

As you have said about playing a competitive match after 10 months, how many practice matches did the team play? How did you go about your pre-season?

We played two matches (practice), but a practice match, you know, is different from competition. So, you know, like 90% boys, they are very young, it was the first match. Maybe they didn't understand and all, but yes, know that, in the game, anything can happen. So. Yes, we will,  we will learn from that game, and our next game is against Kerala Blasters FC. So, yes, we are ready to improve ourselves and give our 100 percent to get three points.