Shillong Lajong to host NorthEast United in Durand Cup quarterfinal at JLN Stadium on August 17

Shillong Lajong FC will host NorthEast United FC in a Durand Cup 2026 quarterfinal at the Jawaharlal Nehru (JLN) Stadium in Shillong on Monday, 17th August 2026, with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 PM IST; the match is part of the 135th edition's quarterfinal four and is billed as a Northeastern Derby.

Both clubs topped their respective groups to reach the last eight: Shillong Lajong finished top of Group E with two wins from three games and accumulated 7 points from a possible 9, while NorthEast United also advanced as group winners. A victory in this quarterfinal will send the winner into the semifinals, where potential opponents include Mohun Bagan SG or Jamshedpur FC. The fixture is expected to draw a large crowd in Shillong, with local support for both sides noted in the preview.

NorthEast United enter the game with the objective of securing a third consecutive Durand Cup title and completing a three-peat, a run overseen by head coach Juan Pedro Benali; the preview states the Highlanders have performed strongly in recent editions of the tournament. The article adds that NorthEast United are expected to have all players training and that the latest foreign recruits are likely to receive game time, while the participation of Pramveer Singh is described as doubtful because he has not yet featured for the Highlanders.

Shillong Lajong are reported to be able to name a full-strength squad, with all players available for selection and the club expected to field a strong lineup against NorthEast United. The preview frames the match as crucial for Lajong’s regional stature and notes the significance of a win for their standing in the Northeast.

Head-to-head information is presented as: Won by Shillong Lajong FC: 0 Won by NorthEast United FC: 3. The preview lists the expected starting lineups as follows — Shillong Lajong: Ranit (GK), Kitbok, Arthur, Joedson, Ken (C), Lian, Abhay, Tremiki, Phrangki, Jota, Everbrightson; NorthEast United: Gurmeet Singh (GK), Asheer Akhtar (C), Eneko, Rabeeh, Samte, Macarton, Ashraf, Moyano, Ajaraie, Ethyan, Parthib.

Everbrightson Sana is highlighted as a key player for Shillong Lajong; the 23-year-old forward is credited with scoring 7 goals and providing 3 assists in IFL 2025-26 and is described as being on a goal-scoring run in Durand Cup 2026. The preview warns that NorthEast United must try to contain Everbrightson to prevent him creating problems for the Highlanders.

Alaaeddine Ajaraie is identified as NorthEast United’s player to watch, with the Moroccan forward reported to have scored 6 goals in Durand Cup 2026 and to be competing neck-to-neck for the Golden Boot; the preview suggests that if he performs, he could help NorthEast United progress to the final and lift the title.

The Durand Cup 2026 quarterfinal between Shillong Lajong FC and NorthEast United FC will take place at the JLN Stadium, Shillong on Monday, 17th August 2026, with a 7:00 PM IST kickoff; the match will be live-streamed on Sony LIV and broadcast live on Sony Ten 2.