Shillong, Aug 20: Defending champions NorthEast United FC will face 17-time champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the second semifinal of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Thursday.
The match kicks off at 7pm, with the Highlanders seeking a third successive appearance in the Durand Cup final and a chance to move closer to an unprecedented hat-trick of titles.
NorthEast United have been one of the standout sides of the tournament and reached the semifinals for the fourth consecutive year after a remarkable comeback against Shillong Lajong in the quarterfinals.
The Highlanders trailed 2-1 at half-time but produced a stunning second-half performance, scoring four times to complete a 5-2 victory over the home side. Moroccan forward Alaaeddine Ajaraie was the star of the comeback, scoring a hat-trick.
Mohun Bagan, meanwhile, have progressed through the tournament on the back of a strong defensive record and clinical finishing. The Mariners went through the group stage without conceding a goal before being pushed all the way by Jamshedpur FC in the quarterfinals.
The match ended 1-1 after regulation time, with Mohun Bagan eventually prevailing 9-8 in a dramatic sudden-death penalty shootout. Goalkeeper Vishal Kaith played a decisive role in their progress.
For NorthEast United, Thursday’s semifinal represents another step towards history. A victory would take the Highlanders into their third consecutive Durand Cup final and keep alive their hopes of becoming the first club to win the tournament three years in a row.
NorthEast United head coach Juan Pedro Benali, however, knows the size of the challenge awaiting his side.
“It’s the semi-final of the Durand Cup, a very important game for us, and also for Mohun Bagan,” Benali said. “It will not be easy for either team. We’re talking about an opponent where nearly all their domestic players are national team regulars, combined with highly talented foreign players and a great coach.”
Mohun Bagan’s newly appointed head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis will be looking to begin his tenure with silverware before the start of the ISL 2026-27 season.
Benali is also familiar with Dilmperis, but insisted that their friendship would count for little once the teams take the field.
“Panos is a friend, but inside the field, there are no friends. He is a great coach leading a very good team,” he said.
The historical head-to-head record gives Mohun Bagan the advantage. In 13 previous meetings between the two sides, the Kolkata club have won 10 times, while NorthEast United have recorded two victories, with one match ending in a draw.
Both teams enter the semifinal with fully fit squads.
Mohun Bagan will look to Sahal Abdul Samad for inspiration in attack. The midfielder has already scored five goals in the tournament and has been one of the Mariners’ most influential players under Dilmperis.
At the other end, Subhasish Bose will be expected to lead a disciplined defensive unit that has conceded very little throughout the competition.
NorthEast United’s attacking threat will centre around Ajaraie following his stunning quarterfinal display. The Moroccan’s hat-trick turned the game against Shillong Lajong on its head and underlined his importance to the Highlanders’ title defence.
Spanish centre-back Eneko Satrustegui will also have a key role to play against a dangerous Mohun Bagan attack. The experienced defender, who has played at the highest level in Spain, will be tasked with helping contain Jamie Maclaren, Dejan Drazic and Liston Colaco.
Goalkeeper Gurmeet Singh is another important figure for NorthEast United. The 2025 Golden Glove winner stressed the need for the Highlanders to remain mentally prepared throughout the contest.
“My expectation is to start the game with the right mentality, stay focused from the first minute, and give everything for the team,” Gurmeet said. “We’ve worked hard in training, and now it’s about executing our plan on the pitch. Hopefully, we can put in a strong performance and get the result we want.”
Gurmeet also highlighted the importance of defensive discipline against the Mariners.
“They are a good side and we know they will give us a tough game. They have quality players and will look to put us under pressure, so we have to be disciplined and focused throughout the 90 minutes,” he said.
“For us, the key will be to stay compact, win our individual battles, and take our chances when they come. We respect them, but we are confident in our own ability as well.”
The semifinal also carries significance beyond the two teams. With East Bengal already through to the other side of the final bracket, a Mohun Bagan victory would set up a potentially historic Kolkata derby in the Durand Cup final.
For NorthEast United, however, the immediate target is clear: overcome one of the tournament’s most successful clubs and keep their three-peat dream alive.
The stage is set at the JN Stadium in Shillong, with a place in the Durand Cup final at stake.
