Ajaraie brace powers NorthEast United to 4-1 ISL win over Kerala Blasters in Guwahati

NorthEast United FC beat Kerala Blasters FC 4-1 at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Sunday in an Indian Super League match, with Alaaeddine Ajaraie scoring twice (15’, 70’). Antonio Moyano (45+4’) and debutant Aman CK (82’) also scored for the hosts.

Ajaraie opened the scoring in the 15th minute after Eneko Satrustegui’s threaded pass released him through on goal; the Moroccan rounded goalkeeper Arsh Anwer before slotting home. Moyano’s stoppage-time strike doubled the lead before the break after Ajaraie’s initial effort was blocked by Hormipam Ruivah and the hosts recycled possession. Kerala reduced the deficit through Yansane at the hour mark, while Aman CK completed the scoring late in the second half.

Juan Pedro Benali’s side threatened from the outset: after the opener Arsh Anwer pushed Jithin’s header off target to keep Kerala in the game and Satrustegui blocked an effort from Andre Green in the 38th minute. Amey Ranawade failed to test NorthEast’s goalkeeper Gurmeet Singh with a chance created from an Adrian Luna cross.

Deep into first-half stoppage time Ajaraie retrieved possession following his blocked shot and slipped Moyano into space; the Spaniard’s finish made it 2-0 at 45+4’. Kerala made two changes at the interval, bringing on Korou and Sandeep Singh for Ranawade and Hormipam.

After the break Arsh produced saves to deny Moyano and Jithin as NorthEast continued to press, but Kerala pulled one back in the 60th minute when Yansane converted a flick from Adrian Luna with a low drive past Gurmeet to make it 2-1. Ajaraie restored the two-goal cushion in the 70th minute, capitalising on a poor clearance from Korou with a curling effort that beat Arsh.

Ajaraie and Jithin were replaced by Nikola and Aman CK later in the contest, while Kerala introduced Mohammed Sanan for Vibin Mohanan. Aman completed the scoring in the 82nd minute by converting a pass from Macarton to make the final score 4-1.

The Highlanders maintained control for the remainder of the match and secured a 4-1 victory, a result that moved NorthEast United to the summit of the League table and represented their second win on the spin.