-Pratyusha Mukherjee, Guwahati, Assam
Defending champions NorthEast United FC launched their title defence in emphatic fashion with a commanding 6-0 victory over Bodoland FC in the opening Group F fixture of the 135th Durand Cup at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium on Saturday.
Returning talisman Alaaeddine Ajaraie was the star of the evening, producing a clinical hat-trick, while Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia, Redeem Tlang and Antonio Moyano also found the net as the Highlanders outclassed their opponents from start to finish.
NorthEast United head coach Juan Pedro Benali deployed a 4-4-2 formation with Ajaraie and Lalrinzuala leading the attack, while Bodoland FC, under Vikash Panthi, lined up in a 4-2-3-1 system spearheaded by Robinson Blandon Rendon.
The Highlanders settled quickly and dominated possession from the opening whistle. Ajaraie looked dangerous throughout the first half, creating the game’s first opportunity with a teasing cross that Macarton Louis Nickson controlled before shooting straight at goalkeeper Birkhang Daimary.
NorthEast came close again in the eighth minute when Jithin M.S. burst down the left and picked out Lalrinzuala, whose clever flick found Mohammed Arshaf in space. The midfielder, however, fired over from a promising position.
Despite sustained pressure, Bodoland’s defence held firm for much of the opening period, with Gaurav Bohara, Urjoy Brahma and Didwm Hazowary making a series of timely interventions. Goalkeeper Daimary also produced two fine saves to deny Ajaraie from free-kicks.
The breakthrough finally arrived in first-half stoppage time. After Bodoland conceded possession in their own half, Ajaraie showed superb composure inside the box, controlling the ball before calmly slotting a left-footed finish beyond Daimary to give the defending champions a deserved lead.
NorthEast went into the break firmly in control after enjoying 58 per cent possession and registering nine attempts on goal, five of them on target, while Bodoland failed to trouble Gurmeet Singh.
Bodoland began the second half with greater intent, forcing an early corner and showing more urgency in attack. Substitute Manabir Basumatary made an immediate impact with some strong challenges, while Rituraj Mohan and Wanshwadame Diengdoh tried to create openings down the right.
However, NorthEast quickly reasserted their dominance. In the 58th minute, Mohammed Arshaf released Jithin with a perfectly weighted through ball, and the winger’s low cross was converted from close range by Lalrinzuala to double the lead.
Ajaraie struck again nine minutes later after Macarton Louis Nickson’s delivery caused confusion inside the Bodoland penalty area. Reacting quickest to a loose ball, the Moroccan forward delicately lifted his finish over the advancing goalkeeper to make it 3-0.
The Highlanders showed no signs of easing off. After substitute Parthib Gogoi went close with a near-post header, Macarton turned provider once more in the 70th minute, threading an incisive pass through the heart of the defence for Redeem Tlang, who finished calmly to add a fourth.
Ajaraie completed a memorable hat-trick in the 86th minute, latching onto a defence-splitting pass before weaving past two defenders and guiding a composed right-footed finish into the far corner.
There was still time for one more goal in stoppage time. Ajaraie turned creator with a lofted pass to Parthib Gogoi, who unselfishly squared the ball across the face of goal for Antonio Moyano to tap home and complete an emphatic 6-0 victory.
The comprehensive win gives NorthEast United the perfect start to their Group F campaign and underlines their credentials as they bid to retain the Durand Cup title.
