NorthEast United FC beat FC1 3-1 to reach Durand Cup quarters

NorthEast United FC defeated FC1 3-1 in their final Group F fixture to enter the quarter-finals of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup with a perfect record. Parthib Gogoi scored twice, while Alaaeddine Ajaraie added the third goal

Hyderabad: NorthEast United FC marched into the quarter-finals with a perfect record in the group stages after comfortably defeating FC1 3-1 in its final Group F fixture of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Tuesday.

Parthib Gogoi scored in each half, while Alaaeddine Ajaraie added NorthEast United’s third goal. Mohmad Ilyas scored the consolation goal for FC1.

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The Highlanders completed their group-stage campaign with three wins from three matches to finish as Group F winners. FC1, meanwhile, ended its debut Durand Cup campaign with three points from three matches.

NorthEast United FC punished FC1 almost immediately, taking the lead just two minutes later through a well-worked move. Antonio Moyano picked out Jithin M.S., who had made a clever run between two defenders before delivering a low cross across the penalty area. Parthib Sunder Gogoi arrived unmarked at the back post and calmly slotted the ball into the net to give the Highlanders the lead.

The home side doubled its advantage nine minutes after the restart, with Parthib Gogoi scoring his second of the day. Antonio Moyano delivered a dangerous free-kick into the area, and Eneko Satrústegui directed his header into a crowded area, where Parthib reacted quickly to bring the ball under control before producing a composed finish through a crowd of players and beyond the goalkeeper.

FC1 was unable to withstand the sustained pressure from the Highlanders as they added a third goal. Parthib Sunder Gogoi threaded a precise through ball into the path of Alaaeddine Ajaraie, who calmly chipped the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper to find the back of the net. The goal was Ajaraie’s sixth of the tournament.

FC1 stunned NorthEast United FC with a goal seemingly out of nowhere in the 71st minute, capitalising on a momentary lapse in concentration from the Highlanders’ defence. Mousa Ahmed Quersehi threaded a through ball into the path of Mohmad Ilyas, who had timed his run perfectly to stay onside. Expecting an offside flag, the NorthEast defence switched off, allowing Ilyas to control the ball before calmly slotting it through the goalkeeper’s legs to pull one back for his side.