Durand Cup: NorthEast United FC to face Shillong Lajong FC

DIMAPUR — NorthEast United FC will look to book their place in the quarterfinals of the 134th IndianOil Durand Cup when they take on Shillong Lajong FC in a highly anticipated NorthEast Derby at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Friday.

The Highlanders kicked off their campaign in style with a 3-1 win over the Malaysian Armed Forces, courtesy of a sublime hat-trick from Moroccan striker Alaaeddine Ajaraie, with club owner John Abraham watching on from the stands.

That win put NorthEast United FC second in Group ‘E’ with three points, behind Shillong Lajong FC, who lead the group with six points from two matches.

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Shillong defeated the Malaysian Armed Forces 6-0 in their opener before getting past Rangdajied United FC 3-1. However, should Juan Pedro Benali’s men edge past the local side, they will leapfrog them at the top of the table on a head-to-head basis.

This will be the third straight Durand Cup meeting between the two regional rivals. In 2023, Parthib Gogoi stole the show with a brilliant hat-trick in a 4-0 group stage win. A year later, NorthEast United FC eliminated Lajong in the semifinals with a convincing 3-0 victory en route to lifting their maiden major trophy.

“It’s a Northeast derby, and derbies are always special and challenging. We know Shillong Lajong FC well, and they know us just as well. For us, it’s another final; it won't be an easy game, and we're ready for the challenge,” Juan Pedro Benali, head coach, NorthEast United FC, said on the eve of the match.

The club’s new signings — Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia, Lalbiakdika Vanlalvunga, Chema Nunez, Andy Rodriguez and Jairo Samperio — made their debuts for the club against the Malaysian Armed Forces and put on an impressive display.

At the same time, Ajaraie was at his usual best, linking well with Jithin MS Parthib Gogoi and Lalbiakdika in the first half, before doing the same with Lalrinzuala, Chema and Jairo in the second half.

Midfield duo Andy Rodriguez and Mayakkannan controlled the rhythm of the game. At the back, Dinesh Singh and captain Michel Zabaco formed a solid first-half pairing, with Asheer Akhtar partnering Dinesh in the second. Fullbacks Bekey Oram and Tondonba Singh added defensive stability.