NorthEast United FC vs Diamond Harbour FC: Top five players to watch in Durand Cup 2025 final

NorthEast United FC are the defending champions of the Durand Cup.

The 2025 Durand Cup final is set to be an enticing battle between the defending champions, NorthEast United, and I-League side Diamond Harbour FC at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata, on Saturday (23 August, 2025). It’ll be an intriguing clash between the Indian Super League (ISL) heavyweights being pitted against the ultimate underdogs of the tournament, in what should be an interesting clash of quality and philosophy.

Even though NorthEast United might be the favorites, Diamond Harbour have proven their giant-slaying ability by knocking out both Jamshedpur FC and East Bengal from the tournament. That is why this finale should be a tighty-fought affair where the tight margins are likely to decide the winner.

This Durand Cup might be one filled with fascinating player battles, but the onus will be on a few particular individuals to excel and win the game for their team. Here we look at the five players to watch out in the 2025 Durand Cup finale.

Also Read: NorthEast United FC vs Diamond Harbour FC Preview, team news, lineups & prediction | Durand Cup 2025 Final

5. Jithin MS (NorthEast United)

Jithin MS has become an important player in the NorthEast United set-up under Juan Pedro Benali, excelling in his system and having enjoyed a prolific 2024-25 season. Jithin has produce some impressive performances in the Durand Cup this year and will need to be at his proactive best for his side to really dominate the game against Diamond Harbour FC.

He’ll need to be smart with his link-up play and make clever off-the-ball runs to disrupt the deep opposition defensive line and cause them to lose their shape.

Jithin will not only be tasked to be energetic in regaining possession in key areas, but he’ll also need to make smarter forward runs and be more efficient with his final product. If he’s able to find that clutch nature in his game, he could be a major difference maker in the final and help his side sail their way to victory.

4. Mirshad Michu (Diamond Harbour FC)

Mirshad Michu has been a savior for Diamond Harbour FC in the 2025 Durand Cup, producing some amazing performances to save them from trouble. He has only been able to keep one clean sheet so far, but it’s been his shot-stopping heroics to have helped Kibu Vicuna’s side come so far in the tournament. Mirshad has been in impressive form in the knockout stages, coming up with some brilliant performances in the last few games.

He was especially great against East Bengal, making a string of vital saves to get his side over the line. Mirshad will now be facing his former side in NorthEast United, a team he spent four years with before moving to Diamond Harbour FC earlier this summer.

He’ll be keen on proving them wrong for letting him leave with a sharp performance in between the sticks. Mirshad needs to be clutch with his reaction timings and make clutch saves time and again to frustrate NorthEast United’s players and give his side the edge. A lot of the game will rely on his shot-stopping ability and if he’s able to tap into his best form, the 31-year-old goalkeeper can change the tides of the game for Diamond Harbour.

3. Chema Nunez (NorthEast United)

Chema Nunez has proven to be a versatile addition to Juan Pedro Benali’s squad at NorthEast United and he’s made a solid impact with his performances at the Durand Cup. He’s shown his ability to play anywhere in the midfield with some energetic, hard-working efforts and troubling teams with his proactive playing style.

Nunez has helped his side dominate the majority of the games with his crisp passing ability, key possession recoveries, and creative forward passes. He’ll need to be at his efficient best in this Durand Cup 2025 final to help his side dominate the game and also disrupt Diamond Harbour’s sturdy shape.

Nunez will not only look to regain possession in key areas, but he also needs to be innovative with his forward passes to send his teammates through into empty spaces and create more chances. He’ll need to think out of the box with his delivery in the opposition half to create confusion among the Diamond Harbour players and help his side repeatedly break their defensive line.

2. Luka Majcen

Luka Majcen has already proven to be a successful signing for Diamond Harbour FC after having been released by Punjab FC in the summer. Majcen has tons of experience of playing in Indian football and has had a seamless transition from Punjab FC to Diamond Harbour as well.

He has produced a string of brilliant performances in the 2025 Durand Cup to guide his side to the final, scoring four goals and helping them string together crucial chances as well. Majcen needs to unleash his best performance in the final against old foes NorthEast United, a team he has a lot of experience of playing against.

Luka needs to be smart with how he operates and moves around in the final third, as he’ll look to get heavily involved in his side’s attacking movement. He’ll aim to help create chances for teammates with his clever delivery, but more importantly needs to be at his ruthless best in finishing off chances clinically to help enhance his side’s winning chances.

1. Alaaeddine Ajaraie

Alaaeddine Ajaraie is showing no signs of slowing down at NorthEast United and has continued the 2025-26 campaign from where he picked up in the previous campaign.

The Moroccan forward has been a decisive figure in the Highlanders’ frontline in the competition so far, having scored seven goals en route to the final. He remains NorthEast United’s biggest attacking threat and will need to be at his unpredictable best to outwit the Diamond Harbour defenders.

He will look to use his smart off-the-ball movement to sneak into all the right areas in the final third and make himself available to teammates in the danger zone. Ajaraie will be aiming to create chances to benefit his teammates, but he’ll be mostly determined to finish off chances ruthlessly and guide his side to yet another Durand Cup title.

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