Guwahati, Aug 1: Defending champions NorthEast United FC launched their 135th IndianOil Durand Cup title defence in style with a dominant 6-0 victory over Bodoland FC in the opening Group F match at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Saturday.
Moroccan striker Alaaeddine Ajaraie starred with a superb hat-trick, while Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia, Redeem Tlang and Antonio Moyano also found the net as the Highlanders outclassed their opponents from start to finish.
NorthEast United coach Juan Pedro Benali opted for a 4-4-2 formation with Ajaraie and Lalrinzuala leading the attack, while Bodoland FC, coached by Vikash Panthi, lined up in a 4-2-3-1 with Robinson Blandon Rendon spearheading the frontline.
The Highlanders dominated possession from the opening whistle and created several early chances. Ajaraie was at the heart of most of the attacks, while Jithin M.S., Lalrinzuala and Mohammed Arshaf combined well to keep the Bodoland defence under constant pressure.
Despite NorthEast’s control, Bodoland goalkeeper Birkhang Daimary made a string of important saves to deny Ajaraie from free-kicks and other attempts. At the other end, Bodoland rarely threatened, with Gurmeet Singh largely untested in the NorthEast goal.
The breakthrough finally arrived deep into first-half stoppage time. After Bodoland lost possession in their own half, Ajaraie showed excellent composure inside the box before calmly placing a left-footed finish past Daimary to hand the defending champions a deserved lead.
NorthEast headed into the break after enjoying 58 per cent possession and registering nine shots, five of them on target, while Bodoland failed to produce a shot on goal.
Bodoland showed greater urgency after the restart, but NorthEast quickly reasserted control and doubled their advantage in the 58th minute. Arshaf released Jithin down the right and his low cross was converted from close range by Lalrinzuala.
Ajaraie struck again nine minutes later when a defensive mix-up inside the Bodoland box allowed him to pounce and delicately chip the advancing goalkeeper for his second goal of the evening.
The Highlanders continued to press and added a fourth in the 70th minute. Macarton Louis Nickson threaded a perfectly weighted pass through the defence for Redeem Tlang, who calmly slotted home.
Ajaraie completed his hat-trick in the 86th minute with a fine solo effort, beating two defenders before guiding a composed finish into the far corner.
NorthEast rounded off an impressive performance in stoppage time when Ajaraie turned provider with a lofted pass to Parthib Gogoi, whose unselfish square ball was tapped in by substitute Antonio Moyano to complete the 6-0 rout.
All 43 matches of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup are being broadcast live on the Sony Sports Network and streamed on SonyLIV.
Tomorrow’s match will see Mohammedan SC take on Samaleswari Sporting at 4pm at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.
