NorthEast United recover from 2-1 half-time deficit to beat Shillong Lajong 5-2 and reach Durand Cup semi-finals

NorthEast United FC recovered from a 2-1 half-time deficit to beat Shillong Lajong FC 5-2 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Monday in the quarter-final of the 135th Durand Cup, booking a place in the semi-finals.

Played in heavy rain, the match saw the defending champions overturn an early two-goal disadvantage after the interval; NorthEast United scored four times in the second half with Alaaeddine Ajaraie completing a hat-trick while Etyan Jesus Gonzalez Morales and Jithin M.S. added the other goals. The victory sends the Highlanders into the Durand Cup semi-finals for a fourth consecutive edition and keeps their pursuit of a third straight title alive.

The game began with difficult conditions as torrential rain left the surface slick. NorthEast United almost opened the scoring in the seventh minute when Eneko Satrustegui headed narrowly wide from an Antonio Moyano corner, but they did break the deadlock in the 11th minute when Redeem Tlang’s long pass released Ajaraie, who finished calmly beyond the defender.

Shillong Lajong responded, with Figo Syndai drawing the hosts level in the 20th minute after finding space in the final third. Jota then put Shillong ahead in the 34th minute by rounding Gurmeet Singh and finishing to send the home side into the interval leading 2-1.

NorthEast United emerged from the break with increased urgency as the rain eased, and Etyan Jesus Gonzalez Morales converted a flowing move to make it 2-2 in the 55th minute; three minutes later Ajaraie struck again to put the Highlanders 3-2 up. The turnaround was completed when Ajaraie scored his third in the 69th minute after a release from Jithin M.S., and Jithin added a fifth in the 79th minute to make it 5-2.

Head coach JuanPedro Benali refreshed his attack by introducing Parthib Sundar Gogoi and Nikola Ninkovic, and later brought on Robin Yadav and Lalrinzuala as NorthEast United controlled the closing stages; the match also featured the competitive debut of Pramveer, who replaced Asheer Akhtar. The Highlanders absorbed early pressure from Shillong before turning the contest decisively in their favour in the second half.

With the win NorthEast United join Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Sporting Club Delhi and East Bengal FC as the four semi-finalists in the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup; NorthEast United will face Mohun Bagan Super Giant in Shillong on 20th July.