ISL 2017/18: "Would like to have Md Rafique at NorthEast United FC," says Eelco Schattorie

NorthEast United FC assistant coach Eelco Schattorie revealed ahead of his side's game against Delhi Dynamos that would like to have current East Bengal former ATK star Md Rafique in his squad.

“One player that I really like and is very good is Md. Rafique. I really miss him in the ISL and I would have loved to have him in my team,” said Eelco.

However, he did go on to say later that the rest of his players are motivated enough to go looking for a win against Delhi Dynamos, despite the fact that the match is a dead rubber.

“I have a bunch of really motivated players, and each and every player is self-motivated to perform even better, and it really doesn’t need any special speech or words to motivate this bunch of players,” he said.

“See I am from Holland and I love to play proper football, not just hoping the ball forward type of football, and the people who are saying that Delhi aren't playing good football but creating chances actually don’t know what they are saying," he continued.

"I have seen Delhi play and they create a lot of chances, but fail to convert them, they have the same problem that we have and also the same problem that ATK have, so it is going to be a good game,” he said.

Eelco had already coached in the I-League at East Bengal, where Rafique, who had also scored the 2014 ISL title-winning goal for ATK, also played under him.

The Dutchman also had a few good words to say about Delhi’s young left winger Lalianzuala Chhangte, who he feels, with more experience, can be a very good player.

Miguel Portugal, the Delhi head coach, said that as athletes, no extra motivation should be required other than the motivation to win every game.

“I feel the league and the players, especially Indian players are good, but we need to bring in more quality coaches so that the young players can learn and improve,” he said.

While NEUFC will be without Helio Pinto, Halicharan Narzary is also doubtful as he hasn’t fully recovered from an ankle injury. Delhi, on the other hand, will miss a host of players like Albino, Joren Lumu, Nanda Kumar, Romeo Fernandes and Pritam Kotal.