NorthEast United FC Storm Into Durand Cup Quarterfinals With 3-1 Win Over FC1

NorthEast United FC secured their place in the quarterfinals of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup with a comfortable 3-1 victory over FC1 in their final Group F fixture at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Tuesday.

The Highlanders completed a perfect group-stage campaign, winning all three of their matches to finish top of Group F and extend their winning run in the competition.

Parthib Sunder Gogoi was the standout performer, scoring twice, while Alaaeddine Ajaraie added another to take his tournament tally to six goals. Mohmad Ilyas scored FC1's consolation goal late in the second half. For FC1, the result brought their debut Durand Cup campaign to an end with three points from three matches.

Despite NorthEast United's eventual comfortable victory, FC1 had the first major opportunity of the match. The Jammu & Kashmir side were awarded a penalty inside the opening seven minutes after Robin Yadav was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the box following a corner.

Mousa Ahmed Quersehi stepped up to take the spot-kick, but NorthEast United goalkeeper K. Mohanraj produced an excellent low diving save to his left. It was an important intervention from the debutant and kept the match level. NorthEast United responded almost immediately.

Just two minutes later, Antonio Moyano found Jithin M.S., who made an intelligent run between two defenders before sending a low cross across the face of goal. Gogoi arrived unmarked at the back post and calmly finished to give the Highlanders the lead.

NorthEast United entered the match with a heavily rotated lineup, with head coach Juan Pedro Benali making 10 changes from the previous outing. Moyano was the only player to retain his place, while Etyan González Morales and Eneko Satrústegui Plano made their first starts for the club. Despite the changes, the Highlanders maintained their tactical discipline.

FC1 enjoyed a significant share of possession during the opening 25 minutes, but NorthEast United chose not to press aggressively. Instead, they maintained a compact mid-block and focused on denying FC1 space through the centre. FC1 attempted to exploit the wide areas and earned four corners during the opening period. However, their delivery lacked the quality required to trouble Mohanraj consistently.

NorthEast United went into half-time with their 1-0 advantage intact.

Second Goal Arrives After the Break

The Highlanders immediately increased their attacking intensity after the restart. Nine minutes into the second half, Gogoi scored his second goal of the night. Moyano delivered a dangerous free-kick into the penalty area, with Satrústegui directing a header into a crowded zone. Gogoi reacted quickest, controlled the ball under pressure and produced a composed finish through a group of players and beyond the goalkeeper.

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The goal gave NorthEast United a commanding 2-0 lead. The Highlanders then began creating chances with greater regularity. Substitute Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia came close after Jithin delivered an inviting cross, while Lalrinzuala later forced a save from FC1 goalkeeper Aftab Ashraf after being played through by fellow substitute Ajaraie.

Ajaraie himself then missed an excellent opportunity after Ashraf failed to gather a cross cleanly. The FC1 goalkeeper recovered quickly, however, and made another save to deny the forward's left-footed attempt.

NorthEast United eventually found their third goal in the 68th minute. Gogoi, already having scored twice, turned provider by threading a precise through ball into Ajaraie's path. The forward showed composure to lift the ball over the advancing Ashraf and find the back of the net. It was Ajaraie's sixth goal of the tournament, further strengthening his position as one of the leading attacking players of the competition.

At 3-0, the result appeared beyond doubt.

FC1 Pull One Back

FC1, however, managed to produce a late response. In the 71st minute, Quersehi sent a perfectly weighted through ball into the path of Mohmad Ilyas, who timed his run to remain onside. The NorthEast United defence appeared to expect an offside call and momentarily switched off. Ilyas took advantage, controlled the ball and calmly slotted his finish through Mohanraj's legs.

The goal reduced the deficit to 3-1 and briefly offered FC1 hope of a comeback. NorthEast United, however, remained in control. The Highlanders continued to find spaces in attack while their midfield prevented FC1 from building sustained pressure. Lalrinzuala and Ajaraie both had opportunities to add to the scoreline, but neither was able to convert.

NorthEast United eventually saw out the final stages without major difficulty to secure a third consecutive victory and confirm their place in the quarterfinals. The result is particularly encouraging for Benali given the extent of the rotation he made to his starting XI. The performance showed the depth available within the squad and ensured that the Highlanders could maintain their momentum without necessarily relying on their strongest lineup.

Gogoi's brace and Ajaraie's continued scoring form will also provide plenty of encouragement ahead of the knockout stages. For FC1, the defeat ends their first-ever Durand Cup campaign, but their three points represent a positive foundation for the club's future involvement in the historic tournament.

NorthEast United, meanwhile, now turn their attention to the quarterfinals with a perfect record intact and growing confidence that they can make a deep run in the 135th Durand Cup.