Kolkata: NorthEast United FC stamped their authority on the 134th Durand Cup with a commanding 6-1 win over debutants Diamond Harbour FC in the final at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Saturday, becoming the first team in 25 years to retain the prestigious trophy.
In a night of attacking brilliance, the defending champions outclassed their rivals with six different players on the scoresheet. Moroccan star Alaaeddine Ajaraie orchestrated the rout, registering three assists and converting a late penalty, while Luka Majcen scored the lone goal for Diamond Harbour after a deflection in the 68th minute.
Coach Juan Pedro Benali stuck with his trademark 4-3-3 formation but introduced attacking changes from the semifinal, handing starts to Huidom Thoi Singh and Parthib Gogoi alongside Ajaraie.
Captain Miguel Zabaco anchored the defence with Asheer Akhtar, Redeem Tlang and Buanthanglun Samte, while Gurmeet stood firm in goal.
Spaniards Andy Gaitan and Chema Nunez controlled midfield with Mayakkannan.
Diamond Harbour head coach Kibu Vicuna fielded an equally attacking XI, banking on captain Jobby Justin, Luka Majcen, and Girik Mahesh Khosla upfront.
Spaniard Mikel Kortazar marshalled the backline with Sairuatkima ahead of goalkeeper Mirshad Koottappunna.
The final started on an even keel, with early chances at both ends. Ajaraie’s long-range effort and Parthib’s header tested Mirshad in the opening minutes, while Luka Majcen and Kortazar threatened at the other end.
But the breakthrough came in the 30th minute for NorthEast when defender Asheer Akhtar pounced on a loose ball from a corner to fire home.
Just before half-time, Parthib Gogoi doubled the lead with a composed finish after Ajaraie’s clever play, putting the Highlanders firmly in control.
The second half saw no respite for Diamond Harbour. Within five minutes of the restart, Ajaraie sliced through the defence before unselfishly setting up Thoi Singh for an easy tap-in to make it 3-0.
Though Luka Majcen pulled one back via a deflection off Jobby Justin’s header in the 68th minute, hopes of a comeback were short-lived.
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NorthEast unleashed a late blitz. Substitute Jairo hammered home a thunderous strike from the edge of the box in the 81st minute, Andy added a fifth four minutes later off an Ajaraie assist, and the Moroccan capped his stellar night by converting a stoppage-time penalty after drawing a foul inside the box.
The 6-1 scoreline equaled the record for the joint-highest margin in a Durand Cup final since 1896. The victory sparked jubilant celebrations as NorthEast became the first side in a quarter-century to defend the title successfully.
It was a clean sweep of individual honours for the champions. Ajaraie bagged both the Golden Ball and Golden Boot with eight goals, while goalkeeper Gurmeet claimed the Golden Glove for his consistent displays between the posts.
