NorthEast United FC manager João de Deus has made a brave prediction ahead of his team's second game of the Indian Super League (ISL) season, against Chennaiyin FC on Thursday.
Speaking about his team's goalless draw against Jamshedpur FC in their first game of the season, De Deus claimed that he wasn't worried about his team's attack and that the league's top scorer would come from his team ultimately!
"About the previous game (against Jamshedpur FC), we did not score," he told reporters at the pre-match press conference. "The first thing is that it is a problem if you don't create chances. But we had a lot of chances and so it is not a problem.
Next Match
"We know how to improve. I'm not worried at all that we did not score. I know that at the end of the league, we will have the top goalscorer in the league. I'm not worried at all."
The Portuguese manager spoke on Chennaiyin FC's defensive frailties against FC Goa in the first half but reiterated that he expects them to improve on Thursday.
"I had a chance to watch Chennaiyin's game against Goa. They had a three-man defence which employed high pressing with their midfielders and the fullbacks. I like the concept and it was just the first match (why they shipped three goals).
"They will improve a lot despite the defeat in the final. They will learn and improve - it will not happen again (like the first half against Goa)."
The 41-year-old manager also confirmed that defensive midfielder Rowllin Borges is fit after missing the Jamshedpur FC match.
"For me, injuries are not a concern. Today, Borges trained fully. So, everybody is perfect to play tomorrow. Even if one or two of them is injured, it is not a concern. Because this is a squad game and I trust in all my players," he elaborated.
The game kicks off at 8 PM at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in Chennai on Thursday.
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