Shillong: Defending champions NorthEast United FC booked their fourth consecutive Durand Cup semifinal berth in emphatic fashion, defeating spirited Shillong Lajong FC 5-2 in the last quarterfinal of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong on Sunday evening.
In a classic Northeastern derby played under relentless, torrential rain, the Highlanders staged a breathtaking second-half comeback after trailing 2-1 at the break. Moroccan talisman Alaaeddine Ajaraie was the star of the night with a sensational hat-trick, while Jithin M. S. and Spanish substitute Ethyan Jesus Gonzalez Morales also found the net. For Shillong Lajong, Figo Syndai and Brazilian Joao Vitor De Paula Morais were the goalscorers in front of over 15,000 home fans.
NorthEast United head coach Juan Pedro Benali made six changes from the previous game, bringing in Gurmeet Singh, Jose Manuel Nunez Martin, Asheer Akhtar, Redeem Tlang and Buanthanglun Samte. The move paid off early as Nunez slipped a perfect through ball for Ajaraie in the 5th minute to make it 1-0. It was the striker’s 6th goal of the tournament.
Shillong Lajong, coached by Birendra Thapa, refused to buckle. They grew into the game and punished NorthEast’s defensive lapses. Left-back Saveme Tariang delivered a curling cross in the 34th minute which Figo Syndai headed past a rooted Gurmeet to equalize. Eight minutes later, Joao Vitor rose highest from a corner to make it 2-1, sending the Polo Ground into a frenzy and putting the ISL giants under serious pressure.
Benali’s half-time team talk changed everything. The Highlanders came out with more intensity and width. The equalizer came in the 52nd minute when Ajaraie turned provider, cutting back from the right for Jithin M.S. to slot home. The momentum completely shifted after that.
What followed was the Ajaraie show. In the 61st minute, the Moroccan turned sharply on the edge of the box and fired into the top corner to make it 3-2. In the 76th minute, he weaved past two defenders and curled a left-footer into the bottom corner for 4-2, completing his second hat-trick of this Durand Cup. He sealed the win in the 89th minute after receiving a diagonal from Bekey Oram. Substitute Ethyan Gonzalez added gloss in the 94th minute with a tap-in.
With this result, the semifinal lineup is now confirmed. Sporting Club Delhi, who thrashed FC Raengdai 5-1, will face East Bengal FC, 1-0 winners over Indian Army, in the first semifinal on August 19 in Kolkata. The second semifinal will be a repeat of last year’s final – Mohun Bagan Super Giant vs NorthEast United FC on August 20 in Shillong. Mohun Bagan reached the semis after edging Jamshedpur FC 9-8 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, with Vishal Kaith saving the decisive spot-kick.
NorthEast United will now eye a second straight Durand Cup title and their unbeaten streak now stands at 15 matches in the tournament.
