Ajaraie hat-trick fires NorthEast United to 6-0 rout in 135th Durand Cup opener
Synopsis
Ajaraie's return to the Durand Cup couldn't have been scripted better — a hat-trick in a 6-0 rout that served notice to every other side in the 135th edition. NorthEast United didn't just win their opener; they overwhelmed it, controlling possession, the scoreboard, and the narrative from the first whistle in Guwahati.
Key Takeaways
NorthEast United FC defeated Bodoland FC 6-0 in the 135th Durand Cup Group F opener on 1 August in Guwahati .
Alaaeddine Ajaraie scored a hat-trick — goals in stoppage time of the first half, the 67th , and 86th minutes.
Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia , Redeem Tlang , and substitute Antonio Moyano also scored for the Highlanders.
NorthEast United controlled 58% of possession in the first half, registering 9 shots , 5 on target.
Head coach Juan Pedro Benali fielded a 4-4-2 formation; Bodoland FC's Vikash Panthi used a 4-2-3-1 .
Defending champions NorthEast United FC launched their 135th Durand Cup title defence with a commanding 6-0 demolition of Bodoland FC in the Group F opener at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on 1 August. Moroccan forward Alaaeddine Ajaraie was the undisputed star of the evening, bagging a brilliant hat-trick as the Highlanders made an emphatic statement of intent.
Ajaraie Leads the Charge
Ajaraie opened his account in first-half stoppage time, cushioning the ball inside the penalty area before rolling a composed left-footed finish past goalkeeper Birkhang Daimary. He doubled his tally in the 67th minute, reacting quickest to a defensive misjudgement and delicately lifting the ball over the advancing custodian to make it 3-0. He completed his hat-trick in the 86th minute with a trademark piece of individual brilliance — beating two defenders before guiding a right-footed finish into the far corner.
How the Scoreline Unfolded
Head coach Juan Pedro Benali set his side up in a 4-4-2 formation, pairing Ajaraie with Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia in attack. NorthEast dominated from the first whistle, controlling 58 per cent of possession in the first half and registering nine shots, five of which were on target, against Bodoland's two attempts.
Lalrinzuala added the second in the 58th minute, turning home a low cross from Jithin M.S. from close range after Mohammed Arshaf threaded a precise through ball. Redeem Tlang slotted home the fourth in the 70th minute after a perfectly weighted pass from Macarton Louis Nickson split the central defence. Substitute Antonio Moyano rounded off the scoring in stoppage time, tapping in after Ajaraie turned provider with a lofted pass to Parthib Gogoi, who squared unselfishly across goal.
Bodoland's Resistance and Tactical Notes
Bodoland FC head coach Vikash Panthi deployed a 4-2-3-1 system with Robinson Blandon Rendon leading the line. Despite the heavy defeat, Bodoland were not without their moments — midfielder Rituraj Mohan produced an excellent sliding challenge to deny Ajaraie, and experienced defender Shubham Sarangi made several important interventions. The gulf in quality, however, proved insurmountable.
What This Means for the Tournament
The result sends an early warning to the rest of Group F: NorthEast United, with Ajaraie back and firing, look every bit the side capable of retaining the Durand Cup. This is the Guwahati chapter of the 135th edition of Asia's oldest football tournament, and the Highlanders have set the tone with the most comprehensive opening-day result. The next fixture to watch is Mohammedan SC vs Samaleswari Sporting at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata, on Sunday at 4:00 PM.
Point of View
And it tells you something meaningful about the gap between ISL-calibre sides and lower-tier entrants in the Durand Cup. Ajaraie's hat-trick is the headline, but the more telling number is Bodoland's two shots — none of which tested goalkeeper Gurmeet Singh — against NorthEast's nine. The Durand Cup's multi-city format, while expanding the tournament's reach, risks producing lopsided results that dilute competitive credibility in the group stage. The real test for NorthEast United's title defence will come when they face ISL peers, not outmatched local sides.
NationPress
1 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of NorthEast United FC's 135th Durand Cup opener?
NorthEast United FC defeated Bodoland FC 6-0 in their Group F opener at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on 1 August. It was a dominant display by the defending champions, who scored across both halves.
Who scored for NorthEast United FC against Bodoland FC?
Alaaeddine Ajaraie scored a hat-trick, with Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia, Redeem Tlang, and substitute Antonio Moyano also getting on the scoresheet. Ajaraie's three goals came in first-half stoppage time, the 67th minute, and the 86th minute.
Who is Alaaeddine Ajaraie?
Alaaeddine Ajaraie is a Moroccan forward and the key attacking talisman for NorthEast United FC. He returned to the side for the 135th Durand Cup and immediately made an impact with a match-winning hat-trick in the opening group fixture.
Where is the 135th Durand Cup being played?
The 135th Durand Cup is being held across multiple cities, including Guwahati and Kolkata. The Guwahati chapter is hosted at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, while Kolkata fixtures are held at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan.
What is the next Durand Cup fixture after NorthEast United's win?
Mohammedan SC face Samaleswari Sporting on Sunday at 4:00 PM at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata. The match is the next scheduled Group fixture following NorthEast United's 6-0 victory over Bodoland FC.
