Defending champions NorthEast United FC began the Guwahati chapter of the 135th Durand Cup in emphatic fashion, registering a commanding 6-0 victory over Bodoland FC in the opening Group F fixture at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Saturday.
Returning talisman Alaaeddine Ajaraie stole the show with a brilliant hat-trick, while Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia, Redeem Tlang and Antonio Moyano also found the scoresheet as the Highlanders made the perfect start to their title defence.
NorthEast United head coach Juan Pedro Benali lined his side up in a 4-4-2 formation, pairing Ajaraie with Lalrinzuala in attack, while Bodoland FC head coach Vikash Panthi opted for a 4-2-3-1 system with Robinson Blandon Rendon leading the line. The Highlanders immediately stamped their authority on the contest, dominating possession and dictating the tempo.
Ajaraie looked lively from the outset, creating the first opportunity with a teasing cross from the left that Macarton Louis Nickson controlled before shooting straight at goalkeeper Birkhang Daimary. NorthEast came close to opening the scoring in the eighth minute when Jithin M.S. made a surging run down the left before cutting the ball back for Lalrinzuala, whose deft flick found Mohammed Arshaf in space.
Despite their dominance, the Highlanders had to wait until first-half stoppage time to break the deadlock. After Bodoland surrendered possession inside their own half, Ajaraie displayed sublime composure inside the penalty area, cushioning the ball before calmly rolling a left-footed finish beyond the advancing goalkeeper to give his side a deserved lead.
NorthEast went into the interval ahead after controlling 58 per cent of possession while registering nine shots, including five on target, compared to Bodoland’s two attempts, none of which tested Gurmeet Singh. The Highlanders soon regained complete control in the second half and doubled their lead in the 58th minute through Lalrinzuala.
Ajaraie grabbed his second just nine minutes later, and Macarton once again turned provider, threading a perfectly weighted pass between the two central defenders for Redeem Tlang, who calmly slotted home his first goal of the tournament. Ajaraie completed a memorable hat-trick in the 86th minute with another piece of individual brilliance, beating two defenders with quick footwork before calmly guiding a right-footed finish into the far corner.
There was still time for one more goal in stoppage time, as Ajaraie turned provider with a delightful lofted pass to Parthib Gogoi on the left, and the winger unselfishly squared the ball across goal for substitute Antonio Moyano, who applied the simplest of finishes to complete a resounding 6-0 victory.
