NorthEast United FC head coach Marco Balbul has revealed his team aim will be to target East Bengal FC’s weaknesses when the two teams meet each other at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati on Thursday. Both teams have lost their opening two matches and they will be looking to get themselves on the board.

Balbul wants his players to stick to their guns and perform consistently for the team against East Bengal. The Israel manager is optimistic that his team will be able to turn the tables and get their first win of the season.

The 55-year-old believes it is not going to be easy for his team as East Bengal is a good team with good players.

Marco Balbul said in the pre-match press conference, “Yes, even they lost the last game. They are a very good team with good players, especially in the attack and are very organized with a very good coach. Every game in this league is not easy, it is very tiring and tough. We come to play our game, with our style at home. With our fans cheering for us, we need to make a big effort to get the first win and open our account for the new season. It will not be easy, but we can do that.”

Meanwhile, East Bengal FC has managed only four wins in the 42 matches they played in the ISL. Thus, they haven’t been able to come up with a collective effort.

Given East Bengal FC’s poor form, Balbul was asked if their current showing will give any advantage to his team. Responding to the same, he said, “Against Bengaluru FC, we showed that we are a good team and we deserved more than a point in that game. On Thursday, we will come with the right attitude and the right approach. The players have shown me in the training how concentrated and committed they are. It will be a tough match but we will look to get all three points home.”

Earlier, the Highlanders lost their opening match of the season against Bengaluru FC by 1-0. Balbul feels the team had played well against the Blues but they were not up to the mark in defense.

He said, “The game against Bengaluru FC was a better style of play from our side but we did not play well in the defense. We want to play the same way we played against Bengaluru FC. But every game is different and we should play with the right discipline and proper tactics against East Bengal FC. They are good with their transitions, but we will look to target their weaknesses.”