NorthEast United FC thrash 3-1 FC1 to complete perfect group stage campaign in Durand Cup 2026

The Highlanders finish top of the table

NorthEast United FC completed a perfect Group F campaign in style, defeating FC1 3-1 at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium on Tuesday to book their place in the quarter-finals of the 135th Durand Cup.

Parthib Sunder Gogoi struck twice, once in both halves, before Alaaeddine Ajaraie added a third to put the Highlanders firmly in control. Mohmad Ilyas pulled one back for FC1 in the 71st minute, but NorthEast United remained composed to see out the victory and finish the group stage with three wins from three.

FC1, meanwhile, ended their debut Durand Cup campaign with three points from three matches.

Juan Pedro Benali made 10 changes to his starting XI, with Spanish midfielder Antonio Moyano the only player retaining his place from the previous outing. Fellow Spaniards Etyan González Morales and Eneko Satrústegui Plano were also handed their first starts for the club.

Parthib Gogoi’s brace powers NorthEast into Durand Cup knockout stage

Inside the opening seven minutes, FC1 were awarded a penalty after NorthEast United defender Robin Yadav handled the ball from a corner kick inside the penalty area. Mousa Ahmed Quersehi stepped up, but K. Mohanraj had other ideas. Making his NorthEast United debut, the goalkeeper produced a fine low diving save to his left to keep the scores level.

Just two minutes later, NorthEast United turned defence into attack and took the lead through a beautifully worked move. Antonio Moyano picked out Jithin M.S., who had made a clever run between two defenders before sending a low cross across the penalty area. Parthib Sunder Gogoi had timed his run perfectly, arriving unmarked at the back post to calmly slot the ball into the net.

FC1 enjoyed the majority of possession during the opening 25 minutes as NorthEast United opted against pressing high to regain the ball. The Jammu & Kashmir side also won four corner kicks during this period, but their execution in the final third lacked the quality required to seriously test Mohanraj.

The Highlanders instead relied on a disciplined mid-block, staying compact and closing the central spaces. FC1 were forced to look towards the right flank, where they managed to create openings, but a lack of numbers inside the box meant their crosses rarely found a teammate as NorthEast United carried their one-goal advantage into the half-time break. Nine minutes after the restart, the Highlanders struck again.

Antonio Moyano delivered a dangerous free-kick into the area, with Eneko Satrústegui directing his header into a crowded penalty box. Parthib reacted quickest, bringing the ball under control before producing a composed finish through the crowd and beyond the goalkeeper. Two goals. Two moments of instinct. NorthEast United were firmly in command.

Ajaraie scores sixth goal as NorthEast United seal quarter-final berth

The Highlanders then turned up the pressure in search of a third. Substitute Lalrinzuala came close moments later when Jithin M.S. delivered an inviting cross into the penalty area, but the Striker could not make the decisive connection and the ball went out for a goal kick.

Lalrinzuala continued to cause problems, forcing FC1 goalkeeper Aftab Ashraf into a save at the end of a swift counter-attack after being played through by fellow substitute Alaaeddine Ajaraie.

Ajaraie then came agonisingly close himself. Ashraf failed to gather a cross cleanly, leaving the goal open, but the Highlanders forward could not find the empty net. The FC1 goalkeeper recovered quickly, making another save in the next attack to deny Ajaraie’s left-footed effort.

The third goal, however, was only delayed. Parthib Sunder Gogoi threaded a precise through ball into the path of Alaaeddine Ajaraie, who showed his composure once again, calmly chipping the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper and into the back of the net.

Six goals in the tournament for Ajaraie, and a 3-0 lead for the Highlanders.

FC1, though, found a way back into the contest in the 71st minute.

Mousa Ahmed Quersehi threaded a through ball into the path of Mohmad Ilyas, who had timed his run perfectly to stay onside and in control of the ball before calmly slotting it in to pull one back for FC1.

The goal offered FC1 a brief glimpse of a comeback, but the Highlanders refused to let the game slip.

The Highlanders continued to find openings in the opposition half, while the introduction of fresh legs helped them maintain their intensity. They retained control in midfield and denied FC1 the opportunity to build any sustained momentum.

NorthEast United saw out the final stages with relative ease to secure a 3-1 victory, complete a perfect three-from-three group-stage campaign, finish as Group F winners and book their place in the quarter-finals.

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