Shillong: Defending champions NorthEast United FC secured their place in the 134th Durand Cup quarterfinals with a 2-1 win over Shillong Lajong FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Friday, thanks to a brace from Moroccan striker Alaaeddine Ajaraie.
The victory, NorthEast’s second in Group E, took them to six points with a game to spare, giving them a superior head-to-head record over Shillong Lajong and ensuring progress to the last eight.
A draw in their final group match would seal the top spot.
Ajaraie opened the scoring in the fifth minute, timing his run perfectly between the central defenders to latch onto a through ball from new signing Jose Manuel Nunez Martin before calmly slotting past goalkeeper Siwel Rymbai.
After a scrappy and physical second half—compounded by humid conditions that saw players struggle with cramps—Shillong Lajong drew level in the 81st minute through substitute Figo Syndai, who headed home a curling cross from Saveme Tariang.
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But NorthEast’s response was immediate.
Just minutes later, Ajaraie turned sharply on the edge of the box, evading Kenstar Kharshong, and curled a precise shot into the top corner for his fifth goal of the tournament.
In the day’s other match, Jamshedpur FC beat Ladakh FC 2-0 at home to book their own quarterfinal berth.
An own goal from defender Siju in the 28th minute and a 46th-minute strike from Praful ensured a perfect three wins from three for the hosts.
