NorthEast United FC has made it to the finals of the iconic Durand Cup, nullifying the resilient and fierce Shillong Lajong side who came to lock horns with the Highlanders after defeating East Bengal. Even with an incredible crowd supporting them, the home side’s perseverance was at risk as Benali’s team waited to strike with venom, and so they did.
Shillong Lajong lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, making a few changes to the starting eleven that had previously defeated the Red and Gold brigade. On the other side, Juan Pedro Benali stuck with his favored 4-2-3-1 setup, just as in the last match. The game began at a high tempo, with both teams trying to break each other down with quick passes, but it was NorthEast who had the superior firepower to break the deadlock and open the scoring.
Moroccan forward Alaeddine Ajaraie unlocked the Shillong Lajong defense with a delicate backheel pass, perfectly setting up Jithin MS, who was charging down the left wing into the penalty box. Jithin, in top form, delivered a precise pass to the oncoming Thoi Singh, who expertly slotted the ball into the net, giving his team the lead in the 15th minute.
Shillong Lajong struggled to find their footing, resorting to weak long-range attempts that posed little threat to Gurmeet, NorthEast United FC’s goalkeeper. The momentum shifted in favor of the Highlanders when Nestor Albiach delivered an exquisite diagonal chip to Alaeddine Ajaraie, who controlled the ball with exceptional finesse before unleashing a shot that struck the post. The rebound found the back of the net, and although an offside was initially called, the goal was eventually awarded, putting Juan Pedro Benali’s side ahead 2-0 just before halftime.
Read: Durand Cup 2024 – NorthEast United through after Odisha rout
After the break, Shillong continued to struggle, unable to clear their lines as NorthEast pressed high up the pitch. Redeem managed to create a chance for himself using his impressive upper body strength, but his shot in the 61st minute went wide.
Buanthanglun Samte delivered an inch-perfect set-piece to a NorthEast player, whose powerful header was expertly dealt with by Manas Dubey, keeping the danger at bay. Shillong had one or two opportunities in between, but their lack of confidence in the final third saw them squander these chances.
Shillong’s woes deepened when Ronney Wilson was sent off in the 89th minute, and Parthib Gogoi capitalized during stoppage time, sealing a 3-0 victory for Northeast United.
NorthEast United delivered a stellar performance, setting themselves up for a historic opportunity to lift the coveted Durand Cup for the first time in their history and secure their first major tournament victory. They now await the winner of the Mohun Bagan vs. Bengaluru match, with the final scheduled for August 31st.
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