Guwahati: Jamshedpur FC would look to make a winning start in their Indian Super League debut when they take on NorthEast United FC here on Saturday.
Even though Jamshedpur are new to the ISL, they have enough experience in their ranks, starting with their coach Steve Coppell who guided Kerala Blasters to the final last season.
On the field, there will be Jose Luis Espinosa Arroyo in defence, South African Sameehg Doutie in midfield and Senegalese striker Talla N'Diaye.
Also read: Full squads and player list of all 10 teams
Coppell said his side have prepared well for the league and his players were raring to go.
"I am excited about our first match. My squad has been preparing for six to seven weeks. I think we are all raring to go. Looking for the challenge. We are a new franchise but that doesn't make a great deal of difference," said Coppell at the pre-match conference.
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"Coming here (Guwahati) for the first match of the season is difficult. They have got a good team and we don't know much about them as a team. Once we get few games under our belt, we can prepare better for our oppositions," said Coppell.
Caution is the buzzword for NorthEast United FC coach Joao de Deus as his team opens the campaign with a home match at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium tomorrow.
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NorthEast United have never made it to the playoffs in the last three ISL editions but the Portuguese coach sounded confident that his team can turn over a new leaf as they start with a home game.
"I can't speak of the past. At this moment, our team, we have a group of qualified coaches who have deep knowledge of training. But in competition with so much demand, we should be careful in some situation. We are preparing our team in a certain way," said Joao.
The hosts have a strong enough squad to challenge the established teams in the competition. India stars Halicharan Narzary and Rowllin Borges will be certain starters in midfield.
"First, let's see if he is on the field tomorrow. If he is not available obviously we are not going to play with just 10 players. He'll be in the XI if he is fit," said the coach.
Squads:
NorthEast United FC
Goalkeepers – Gurpreet Singh Chabhal, Ravi Kumar, Rehenesh TP.
Defenders – Abdul Hakku Nediyodath, Gursimrat Singh Gill, Jose Goncalves, Mamadu Samba Cande, Martin Damian Diaz Pena, Nirmal Chettri, Reagan Keisham, Robert Lalthlamuana.
Midfielders – Adilson Goiano, Fanai Lalrempuia, Lalrindika Ralte, Malemngamba Meitei Kshetrimayum, Marcio de Souza Gregorio Junior, Rowllin Borges, Sushil Meitei Ahongshangbam.
Forwards – Danilo Lopes Cezario, Halicharan Narzary, Luis Alfonso Paez, Odair Fortes, Seiminlen Doungel.
Jamshedpur FC
Goalkeepers – Md Rafique, Ali Sardar, Sanjiban Ghosh, Subrata Paul.
Defenders – Anas Edathodika, Andre Bikey, Jose Luis Espinosa Arroyo, Robin Gurung, Sairuat Kima, Shouvik Ghosh, Yumnam Raju Mangang.
Midfielders – Bikash Jairu, Emerson Gomes de Moura, Mehtab Hossain, Sameehg Doutie, Souvik Chakrabarti, Trindade Goncalves.
Forwards – Ashim Biswas, Farukh Choudhary, Izu Azuka, Jerry Mawihmingthanga, Kervens Belfort, Siddharth Singh, Sumeet Passi, Talla N'Diaye.
