Kondwani MtongaNorthEast United FC’s Zambian midfielder Kondwani Mtonga has been one of the outstanding performers for the Guwahati-based side so far in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL). He had another effective game anchoring the midfield against FC Pune City, shielding his back four and setting his team off for attacks. Despite the final result, a 0-0 draw, Mtonga was satisfied with his team’s effort as the energy and work rate that has become a hallmark of head coach Ricki Herbert’s side was once again on display. “I think we tried our best and we tried pushing forward,” the 30-year-old said in an exclusive post-match interview with indiansuperleague.com.Mtonga felt the result was down to his team’s play in attacking positions which was not as incisive and clinical as it needed to be. “I don’t think we used the ball well in the final third,” he ruminated. “We tried to get the goal, but unfortunately, we couldn’t.”The defensive effort, however, was once again impressive, as the side with the joint-best defensive record in the ISL kept their fourth clean sheet of the season. Mtonga related that the team management has been stressing the importance of defensive focus during training and team strategy talks. “It’s a big point we discussed in the team,” he said. “We defended well.” The tactic makes his role as the defensive anchor especially significant, but Mtonga welcomed the responsibility.His take on the game against Pune City was that their opponents set up to play for a draw, putting the attacking impetus on NorthEast. “We played to win,” Mtonga emphasised. “For Pune, I think they just wanted the match to get over.”With NorthEast United lying in fifth in the league standings, Mtonga was asked to share his thoughts on the team’s play over their eight games. The Zambian cut a satisfied figure, but knew that his team needs to improve, especially in attack, to finish in the top four and qualify for the semi-finals.“The performance has been good,” Mtonga asserted, before addressing the goal-shy attack. “Not much of goal-scoring. I think that’s the only problem. But we’ll work on that!”When talk turned to his head coach Herbert, who has made a habit of getting his sides to buy into a team philosophy and gel as a unit, Mtonga was full of praise for the New Zealander. “He’s a very good motivator,” he enthused. “He’s so encouraging! He pushes us and helps us to enjoy the game,” the midfielder said, before adding, “He’s a good man.”Mtonga was also questioned about his preferred position, after briefly essaying the centre back role against Pune. But he had no doubts that he is at his best playing further up the pitch, where he can help out his defenders but also join his teammates in going forward. “I prefer the defensive midfielder role, because I’m more involved in the attack.”
