NorthEast United FC rout Diamond Harbour FC to win second consecutive Durand Cup title

Juan Pedro Benali’s NorthEast United FC successfully managed to retain the Durand Cup title

NorthEast United FC claimed their second consecutive Durand Cup title after routing debutants Diamond Harbour FC 6-1 in the 134th final of the tournament at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Saturday.

The Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan is geared up to host the grand finale of the oldest footballing tournament on the continent. After 30 days of action, a series of upsets and moments that took the Indian footballing fraternity by storm, two teams booked their spot in the finals.

Defending champions NorthEast United FC clear their intentions to not leave any stone unturned to retain the Durand Cup title. They managed to get the better of Shillong Lajong in the semi-finals to make their way to the second finals of the Durand Cup.

On the other hand, there was a team that nobody would have imagined in their wildest dreams to make it past the quarter-finals. It was a team from Kolkata, but neither of the three Kolkata giants. Kibu Vicuna’s Diamond Harbour FC were coming after defeating Jamshedpur FC and East Bengal FC in the knockout round.

A strong first-half performance from Highlanders

From the first minute itself, the Highlanders looked determined not to take their opponents lightly. Jobby Justin did try to shock the defending champions, but Gurmeet stood like the Great Wall of NorthEast. The Highlanders started taking control of the game after a goalless first quarter.

A nervy moment before the drinks break saw Asheer Akhtar make no mistake to give an important lead to the Highlanders in the 30th minute. Ajaraie literally outmuscled the opposition defenders, and in the regulation time, it was Parthib Gogoi who doubled the lead for the Highlanders.

After the first goal, NorthEast went into all attacking mode to double their lead. From hitting the side netting to Ajaraie making runs from the flanks, we all saw the second goal coming. Parthib Gogoi’s stunner saw the Highlanders putting their one hand on the coveted silverware. NorthEast were leading 2-0 in the first half.

Highlanders finished the second half in fashion

The second half saw Thoi scoring the third goal for the Highlanders in the 50th minute, and the game seemed all done and dusted for the debutants. But, Vicuna’s team were still motivated for a miraculous comeback. The home team prayed for miracles, and at one instant, it felt as if God heard their prayers as the ball mysteriously found itself back in the net from the corner after Majcen’s last touch.

There were twenty minutes of regulation time left on the clock, and overcoming a two-goal deficit was still practically possible. Vicuna used all his substitutions and trump cards, but all in vain. Just when Diamond Harbour had to go all in attacking mode, NorthEast exposed them via counterattacks.

Jairo Samperio’s cool finish destroyed all hopes, and celebrations began in Guwahati, Shillong, Imphal and almost in every corner of North East India. To make things even worse for the debutants, Ajaraie gave another assist, and it was Andy who made it 5-1 in favour of NorthEast.

The Golden Boot winner felt it would be an injustice not to register his name in the scoresheeet and a stoppage time penalty was brilliantly converted by the Moroccan striker whose strike saw the Highlanders winning the game 6-1 to clinch the Durand Cup.

With the referee’s full-time whistle, NorthEast United FC became the first team in this century to win back-to-back titles.

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