Schattorie almost turned a Mini-Cooper into a Ferrari at NorthEast United

Northeast United FC Head Coach, Eelco Schattorie reacts during match 81 of the Hero Indian Super League 2018 ( ISL ) between NorthEast United FC and FC Pune City held at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati, India on the 20th February 2019 Photo by: Deepak Malik /SPORTZPICS for ISL

NorthEast United FC coach Eelco Schattorie took to twitter to “thank everyone for a beautiful season.” Owner John Abraham was “incredibly proud of how our boys fought with their whole soul despite all the injuries – shows their incredible character.”

This has been a season to remember for NorthEast United. They made it to the play-offs of the Hero Indian Super League for the first time in five attempts, and even though they were unlucky to have been knocked out in the semi-finals – despite a win at home in the first leg – there were plenty of positives.

When the squads were announced before the ISL commenced, not many predicted NorthEast United to go all the way and make history. With the season nearing a grand conclusion, the Highlanders not only secured their first ever entry into the playoffs but also nearly made it to the final.

Had it not been for crucial injuries, the story may well have been different. First, NorthEast had to play their first leg without Bartholomew Ogbeche and Rowllin Borges for the second half. And for the crucial away clash against Bengaluru FC on Monday, they were dealt a heavy blow when Federico Gallego suffered a huge injury. Without their top three players, it was effectively over for NorthEast.

The end result would have been painful. Bengaluru were made to work hard for most of the two-legged tie and in the end, injuries to key players ultimately hampered Schattorie’s plans.

“Our season has been a memorable one. We only lost four times this season. That means we must have done something right. There are a lot of games where we fielded the strongest XI and we played well in those games. Today we started without two key players (Rowllin Borges and Bartholomew Ogbeche) and a team is all about the balance,” Schattorie said after their semi-final exit.

Schattorie was never blessed with a luxury of choices when it came down to team selection. There was almost always a player injured or suspended, but his astute tactics and man management overcame the drawbacks. Schattorie and his players, though, exceeded expectations, and they nearly went all the way, a feat that deserves plaudits. It surely looks like the start of something great at NorthEast under the Dutch coach who has almost finished making a Ferrari out of a Mini-Cooper.

What if all their players were fit? What if Gallego was not injured after an unfortunate clash with Miku when they were very much in the contest and on their way to the final? NorthEast fans will keep thinking about the possibilities but even in defeat, the Highlanders have won plenty of admirers.

– Courtesy ISL Media
Also Read: Indian U17 World Cup star to train at English Championship side Blackburn Rovers 
Also Read: Bengaluru FC seal their place for the 2nd consecutive ISL final
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football.

Maharashtra Oranje FC’s Academy Division, SFL Oranje Academy, announces Trials for 2025-26 season across multiple age groups

Mumbai, Maharashtra – Maharashtra Oranje FC, a prominent name in Mumbai’s football circuit, is set to hold extensive trials for the upcoming 2025-26 season through its academy division, SFL Oranje…

Share

SSE BFC offering girls football trials in Mumbai for U14 & U17 Teams

SSE Soccer Schools, one of Mumbai’s longest-serving academies, is a trusted name and has positively contributed to shaping the local football community for thousands of kids since 2010. SSE Soccer…

Share

SSE BFC Soccer Schools Announces Open Trials for 2025-26 Season in Mumbai

SSE Soccer Schools, one of Mumbai’s longest-standing football academies, has announced open trials for its 2025-26 SSE BFC Soccer Schools program in partnership with Indian Super League club Bengaluru FC….

Share

South United FC Announces Trials in Pune for their Residential Academy in Bangalore

South United Football Club has announced its next set of trials for its new Residential Academy, which will be held in Pune. The trials will take place at the Club’s…

Share

Bank of India announces open trial for Mumbai Corporate League Campaign

Bank of India is set to make its mark in the Mumbai Corporate League and is looking for exceptional football talent to bolster its squad. The trial is scheduled for…

Share

India Khelo Football Workshop returns to Mumbai for its 4th Season

The Indian Khelo Football (IKF) Workshop returns to Mumbai this September, bringing with it an exceptional platform for aspiring footballers to showcase their skills and seize opportunities that could transform…

Share

Somaiya FC announces trials for the upcoming 2024-25 Season

Somaiya FC, having secured a commendable 5th position in the MFA Super Division last season, has announced open trials as they gear up for upcoming season. The team, known for…

Share

VR Academy to conduct trials for 2024-25 Season

Mumbai based VR Academy has announced trials for the upcoming 2024-25 season. The club is looking for talented young players to join our esteemed academy and participate in various competitive…

Share

MH ORANJE FC U-17 Trials for the Upcoming Season

With a proud legacy of nurturing talent and achieving excellence, Maharashtra Oranje FC has recently made waves with appearances in I-League 2, securing a remarkable runner-up position in the fiercely…

Share

Football School of India announce trials for Young Talents

Football School of India (FSI) has announced trials for young football enthusiasts in the upcoming week of June. A golden opportunity for aspiring players to showcase their talents and potentially…

Share