NorthEast United FC's road to the Durand Cup 2025 final

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

Reigning champions NorthEast United FC have made the Durand Cup their proving ground. For the second consecutive season, the Highlanders have booked a place in the final of the Durand Cup, turning their consistency into their biggest statement.

They’ve treated every game with intent and every chance as a chance to rewrite their story. This performance of back-to-back finals represents more than progress. It represents consistency and stability.

NorthEast United FC defeated Shillong Lajong FC 1-0 in the first semi-final of the Durand Cup on 19th of August 2025 to book their place in the final clash.

In this article let us take a look at how NorthEast United FC turned into an impressive team in this year’s edition of the Durand Cup and their journey to their second consecutive Durand Cup finals.

A strong run in the group stage for Highlanders

The Highlanders’ Durand Cup journey began against the Armed Forces of Malaysia. They looked sharp from the outset. Alaaeddine Ajaraie netted a clinical hat-trick to fire NorthEast United FC to a comfortable 3-1 win

NorthEast United FC faced Shillong Lajong FC in their next group fixture. Ajaraie capitalised on a mistake from the Shillong Lajong defence, and He struck a goal just minutes after the equaliser, securing a 2-1 win for the Highlanders

The final group game for the NorthEast United was against Rangdajied United FC. With qualification already secured, Juan Pedro Benali rotated his squad constantly, giving a chance to other players in the squad and the game ended in a 2-2 draw.

Dominant performances in the knockout stages for NorthEast United FC

The Highlanders faced Bodoland FC, the Group D toppers, in the quarter-final stage. They dismantled their opponents, scoring goals to secure a dominating 4-0 win.

NEUFC faced Shillong Lajong FC in the semi-final once again. The game had the intensity of being the Derby as well as a knockout semi-final. The Highlanders created chances but struggled in the final third until Redeem Tlang scored the only goal of the game, confirming their berth in the finals.

The defending champion,s NorthEast United FC, will face Diamond Harbour FC in the final on August 23, 2025, at the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.

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