New Delhi: NorthEast United entered the final of any major Indian football tournament for the first time with a 3-0 win over Shillong Lajong in the semi-finals of the Durand Cup in Shillong on Monday.
Up by two goals at the break, NorthEast were comfortable throughout the match. Thoi Singh (3′) and Moroccan striker Alaeddine Ajaraie (33′) gave them the advantage with Parthib Gogoi completing the scoring on added time (90+3′).
In their home ground, Shillong had high hopes after beating East Bengal 2-1 in the quarter-finals. But 15,000 of their supporters fell silent when Thoi tapped in from six yards to a well worked move of Jithin MS from the left flank.
Ajaraie then netted the second after latching onto a superb ball from Spanish playmaker Nestor Roger to take control at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
FT | SLFC 0-3 NEUFC
NorthEast United FC advances to the finals of the 133rd Edition of the IndianOil Durand Cup with a convincing 3-0 win over Shillong Lajong FC!#SemiFinal1 #SLFCNEUFC #IndianOilDurandCup #PoweredByCoalIndia #DurandCup2024 #133rdEditionofDurandCup… pic.twitter.com/OaqFltrEkm
— Durand Cup (@thedurandcup) August 26, 2024
Shillong weren’t disheartened as they continued to commit men upwards in the hope of finding a way to get back into the contest. But NEUFC has players of greater experience like Mohammed Ali Bemammer as they maintained control over the midfield region.
Towards the later stages of the contest, NEUFC’s Spanish coach Juan Pedro Benali introduced Parthib and the speedy forward responded with a solo effort in the third minute of added time.
NorthEast will face the winner of defending champions Mohun Bagan and former winners Bengaluru FC, who are set to meet in the second semi-final on Tuesday.
Thoi Singh (3′), Moroccan striker Alaeddine Ajaraie (33′) and Parthib Gogoi (90+3) scored for NorthEast United in their 3-0 win over Shillong Lajong in the Durand Cup semi-finals Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
