THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2025
Nagaland Districts
NorthEast United FC will take on Jamshedpur FC in a crucial AIFF Super Cup Group B clash as both teams aim to strengthen their semifinal hopes.
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DIMAPUR — NorthEast United FC (NEUFC) will take on Jamshedpur FC in their Group ‘B’ encounter of the AIFF Super Cup 2025–26 at the GMC Athletic Stadium, Bambolim, on Wednesday.
In their opening match, NorthEast United FC were held to a 2-2 draw by Inter Kashi FC, while Jamshedpur FC went down 0-2 to FC Goa, according to an update.
On the eve of the match, NorthEast United FC head coach Juan Pedro Benali said he was hopeful that the team had learnt from its previous outings and was fully focused on the challenge ahead.
“We hope we have learnt from our past matches, and we are fully focused on the game ahead. We know Jamshedpur FC very well, and they know us just as well. It’s going to be a tactical affair, and we have our game plan in place, and the team is ready to give everything on the pitch,” Benali said.
Moroccan striker Alaaeddine Ajaraie, who won both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball during NorthEast United FC’s victorious Durand Cup campaign earlier this season with eight goals and four assists, was once again on target in the opening fixture, capitalising on an assist from left-back Tondonba Singh.
The 32-year-old forward, who has scored four goals and provided one assist in four appearances against Jamshedpur FC, will look to extend his strong record on Wednesday.
Ajaraie will be supported by the club’s foreign signings — Jairo Samperio (2 goals, 1 assist), Andy Rodriguez (2 goals, 2 assists), and Chema Núñez (1 assist) — along with Indian players Jithin MS, Parthib Gogoi, Thoi Singh, Lalrinzuala, and Lalbiakdika.
Captain Michel Zabaco, who scored a header from Rodriguez’s corner against Inter Kashi, will lead the defence comprising Asheer Akhtar, Tondonba Singh, Redeem Tlang, Buanthanglun Samte, and Dinesh Singh, with Gurmeet Singh in goal.
In midfield, Rodriguez has been influential with his creativity and set-piece play, supported by Mayakkannan and India international Macarton Nickson.
As the group stage intensifies, NorthEast United FC will look to secure all three points and boost their chances of progressing to the semifinals of the AIFF Super Cup 2025–26.