NorthEast United FC head coach Ricki Herbert (L) with goalkeeper Rehenesh TP at the post-match press conference.Ricki Herbert walked into the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) post-match press conference to a standing ovation from a few reporters which brought a smile to the NorthEast United FC head coach’s face.The relief was palpable on Herbert’s face after his side thumped Chennaiyin FC 3-0 as he explained how his boys pulled it off, “We were absolutely brilliant tonight. I tinkered with the formation and played two at the back. That meant that our wide men had to track back and also flood the midfield. I thought Boithang Haokip and Zodingliana were outstanding today.”The former Kiwi international defender also praised local boy Durga Boro who got off the mark today and opened the floodgates for the Highlanders. “I thought he played extremely well. I had a gut instinct that he would score. He was terrific in training all week and I am happy that he went out there and got us the goal,” Herbert remarked.Herbert also acknowledged the efforts of the man who scored a brace, former Senegalese international Massamba Lô Sambou. “He told us that he would score if we played him. Sometimes I think that he likes to play as a striker more than he likes to defend. I think I should give him the No 9 shirt. But all jokes aside, he put in a real shift today,” the former New Zealand coach said.Herbert also thanked his team for executing his philosophy perfectly. “A lot of things were being said about us but I had faith in our philosophy and our playing style. I knew it was only a matter of finishing off the chances that we were creating. Today, the team went out and executed everything perfectly. Chennaiyin have been brilliant throughout the ISL but today we showed that we are capable of beating anyone on our day,” he declared.NorthEast United shotstopper, Rehenesh TP, who was also present at the press conference, thanked his coach and senior goalkeeper Alexandros Tzorvas for all their help and encouragement. “It has been a wonderful experience. The ISL has taught me so much. Tzorvas has been a super goalkeeper to learn from and our coach has backed me constantly and given me the confidence to perform every single time,” he revealed.
