Shillong, Aug 11: NorthEast United FC marched into the quarterfinals with a perfect record in the group stages after comfortably defeating FC1 3-1 in their final Group F fixture of the Durand Cup 2026 at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati today.
Parthib Gogoi (11′, 54′) scored in each half, while Alaaeddine Ajaraie (68′) added NorthEast United’s third goal. Mohmad Ilyas (71′) scored the consolation goal for FC1 of Srinagar.
The Highlanders completed their group stage campaign with three wins from three matches to finish as Group F winners. FC1, meanwhile, ended their debut Durand Cup campaign with 3 points from three matches.
NorthEast United head coach 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. Meanwhile, FC1 head coach Khalid Qayoom made two changes to his lineup, bringing in midfielder Mousa Ahmed Quersehi and Ivorian defender Tetty Armando Yoko, both returning after suspensions in place of Kamran Hameed and Aafreen Bashir.
FC1 were awarded a penalty inside the opening seven minutes after NEUFC defender Robin Yadav handled the ball from a corner kick inside the penalty area. Mousa Ahmed Quersehi stepped up to take the spot-kick but was denied by NorthEast debutant K Mohanraj, who produced a fine low diving save to his left to keep the scores level.
NorthEast United punished FC1 almost immediately, taking the lead just two minutes later through a well-worked move. Antonio Moyano picked out Jithin MS, who had made a clever run between two defenders before delivering a low cross across the penalty area. Parthib arrived unmarked at the back post and calmly slotted the ball into the net to give the Highlanders the lead.
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 earned four corner kicks during this period, but their execution in the final third lacked the quality to test Mohanraj in the NorthEast goal.
With the Highlanders maintaining a disciplined mid-block and remaining compact in possession, FC1 struggled to build attacks through the centre of the pitch. The side from Jammu & Kashmir instead looked to exploit the spaces down the right flank and managed to create openings from wide areas, but their lack of numbers inside the box meant they were unable to make the most of the crosses delivered by their wingers as the Highlanders took their one goal advantage into the half time break.
The home side doubled their advantage nine minutes after the restart, with Parthib scoring his second of the day. Antonio Moyano delivered a dangerous free-kick into the area, and Eneko Satrústegui directed his header into a crowded area, where Parthib reacted quickly to bring the ball under control before producing a composed finish through a crowd of players and beyond the goalkeeper.
The Highlanders stepped up the intensity of their attacks, and moments later, substitute Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia came close to adding another. Jithin delivered an inviting cross into the penalty area, but Lalrinzuala was unable to make the decisive connection and ball went out for a goal kick.
Lalrinzuala remained at the heart of the Highlanders’ attacking moves, forcing a save from FC1 goalkeeper Aftab Ashraf at the end of a swift counter-attack after being played through by fellow substitute Alaaeddine. The Moroccan then missed a glorious opportunity moments later, failing to find the empty net after Ashraf was unable to gather a cross cleanly. The FC1 goalkeeper made amends in the next attack, producing another save to deny Alaaeddine’s left-footed effort.
FC1 were unable to withstand the sustained pressure from the Highlanders as they added a third goal. Parthib threaded a precise through ball into the path of Alaaeddine, who calmly chipped the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper to find the back of the net. The goal was his sixth of the tournament.
FC1 stunned NorthEast United FC with a goal seemingly out of nowhere in the 71st minute, capitalising on a momentary lapse in concentration from the Highlanders’ defence. Mousa Ahmed Quersehi threaded a through ball into the path of Ilyas, who had timed his run perfectly to stay onside. Expecting an offside flag, the NorthEast defence switched off, allowing Ilyas to control the ball before calmly slotting it through the goalkeeper’s legs to pull one back for his side.
NorthEast United saw out the remainder of the match with relative ease to secure the victory, confirm their place in the quarterfinals and extend their winning streak in the Durand Cup.
The last match in this group will take place on 13th August between Bodoland FC and Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC at the same venue at 4PM.
(Durand Cup photo)
