Guwahati, Aug 11: NorthEast United FC defeated FC1 3-1 in their final Group F match to sail into the quarterfinals of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup with a perfect record here on Tuesday.
Parthib Gogoi scored in each half, while Alaaeddine Ajaraie added NorthEast United’s third goal. Mohmad Ilyas scored the consolation goal for FC1.
The Highlanders completed their group-stage campaign with three wins from as many matches to finish as Group F leaders. FC1, meanwhile, ended their debut Durand Cup campaign with three points from three outings.
NorthEast United FC 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 NorthEast United 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 FC punished FC1 almost immediately, taking the lead just two minutes later through a well-worked move. Antonio Moyano picked out Jithin M S, who had made a clever run between two defenders before delivering a low cross across the penalty area.
Parthib Sunder Gogoi 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 FC opted against pressing high to regain the ball. The Jammu & Kashmir side also earned four corner kicks during this period, but lacked in execution in the final third to test Mohanraj in the NorthEast goal.
The home side doubled their advantage nine minutes after the restart, with Parthib Gogoi 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.
The Highlanders stepped up the intensity of their attacks, and moments later, substitute Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia came close to adding another. Jithin M S delivered an inviting cross into the penalty area, but Lalrinzuala was unable to make the decisive connection.
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 Ajaraie. Ajaraie then missed a glorious opportunity moments later, failing to find the empty net after Ashraf was unable to gather a cross cleanly.
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 Ajaraie, who calmly chipped the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper.
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 Mohmad 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. (PTI)
