NorthEast United FC Secures Historic Durand Cup Final Spot

NorthEast United FC triumphed over Shillong Lajong FC with a 3-0 victory to reach their first-ever Durand Cup final. Goals from Thoi Singh, Alaeddine Ajaraie, and Parthib Gogoi sealed the win, breaking the hearts of over 15,000 home fans at Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium.

Indian Super League side NorthEast United FC edged past local favourites Shillong Lajong FC 3-0 to qualify for the final of the Durand Cup here on Monday.

First-half goals from Thoi Singh and Moroccan striker Alaeddine Ajaraie and a strike in added time of the second half by Parthib Gogoi did the job for the Highlanders, as they scripted a piece of club history by making their first-ever Durand Cup final at the Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium.

A crowd of over 15,000 mostly partisan home fans was silenced when Thoi scored following a well-worked move in the 13th minute and Ajaraie added a second in the 33rd, courtesy a wonder-ball from Spanish playmaker Nestor Roger. Shillong gave a good account of themselves thereafter, but players like Mohammed Ali Bemammer in the Highlanders' mid-field helped the visitors control the game before Parthib, brought in late by Spanish coach Juan Pedro Ben Ali, put the icing on the cake with a solo effort three minutes into added time.

(With inputs from agencies.)