Guwahati, August 8: Defending champions NorthEast United FC continued their impressive run in the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup with a commanding 4-1 victory over Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC in their Group F encounter at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Saturday.
Moroccan forward Alaaeddine Ajaraie scored a brace, while substitutes Macarton Louis Nickson and debutant Etyan Gonzalez Morales struck late to seal the victory for the Highlanders. Junior Onguene Nkengue scored the lone goal for Karbi Anglong Morning Star.
The victory strengthened NorthEast United’s bid for a place in the knockout stages and extended their unbeaten streak in the Durand Cup to 14 matches. The defending champions have not lost a match in the competition since 2023.
NorthEast United made an aggressive start under head coach Juan Pedro Benali, dominating possession and putting Karbi Anglong under sustained pressure. Their early dominance paid off in the seventh minute when Ajaraie was brought down inside the penalty area by Nkengue. The Moroccan stepped up and converted the resulting penalty to give the Highlanders a 1-0 lead.
Karbi Anglong, however, struck back against the run of play in the 28th minute. A misplaced pass from NorthEast defender Soraisham Dinesh Singh allowed Nkengue to gain possession and finish from close range to level the score at 1-1. Despite renewed pressure from NorthEast, the teams went into half-time level.
Benali introduced Parthib Sunder Gogoi and Macarton at the start of the second half, and the changes quickly made an impact. Three minutes after the restart, Gogoi found Ajaraie inside the penalty area, with the Moroccan producing a precise left-footed finish to restore NorthEast United’s lead.
The strike was Ajaraie’s fifth goal of the tournament, taking him level at the top of the scoring charts.
NorthEast continued to dominate as the match progressed and finally added their third goal in the 83rd minute. Buanthanglun Samte delivered a precise cross into the box, allowing Macarton Louis Nickson to head past goalkeeper Jaspreet Singh and make it 3-1.
The defending champions completed the scoring deep into stoppage time. Abdul Rabeeh produced a strong run down the left before sending a low cross into the penalty area, where Spanish forward Etyan Gonzalez tapped home in the sixth minute of added time.
The goal marked a memorable Indian football debut for Etyan, while sealing NorthEast United’s comprehensive 4-1 victory.
NorthEast United’s second-half dominance and Benali’s attacking substitutions ultimately proved decisive as the Highlanders maintained their unbeaten Durand Cup run and strengthened their position in the race for the knockout stages.
