Alaaeddine Ajaraie delivered a stunning hat-trick to power NorthEast United FC to a 5-2 victory over Shillong Lajong FC in the 135th Durand Cup quarterfinal at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Monday, 17 August. The Highlanders, trailing 2-1 at half-time in torrential rain, produced a dominant second-half display to book their place in the semifinals for the fourth consecutive year.

First Half: Shillong Edge Ahead in the Rain

Both sides lined up in a 4-3-3 formation for the high-stakes Northeastern derby, with heavy rain making the pitch treacherous from the first whistle. Shillong Lajong captain Kenstar Kharshong slipped awkwardly in the early exchanges but continued after treatment.

NorthEast United settled first and took the lead in the 11th minute through Ajaraie, who latched onto a perfectly weighted long ball from captain Redeem Tlang, beat a defender with a deft touch, and slotted home clinically. The goal drew the Moroccan forward level with Rodriguinho in the tournament's scoring charts.

Figo Syndai levelled for the hosts in the 20th minute, finishing confidently after exploiting space in the final third. Shillong then went ahead in the 34th minute when Joao Vitor De Paula Morais (Jota) led a textbook counter-attack, rounded goalkeeper Gurmeet Singh, and finished to make it 2-1. NorthEast struggled to find their rhythm before the break, and Shillong entered half-time with the advantage.

Second Half: Ajaraie and the Highlanders Take Over

The rain eased after the restart, and so did Shillong's grip on the contest. NorthEast restored parity in the 55th minute through Etyan Jesus Gonzalez Morales, and just three minutes later, Ajaraie struck again to put the Highlanders 3-2 ahead.

Shillong pushed back, earning successive corners and creating chances from close range. However, head coach Juan Pedro Benali freshened up his side with the introductions of Parthib Sundar Gogoi and Nikola Ninkovic, helping NorthEast maintain their attacking momentum. Ajaraie completed his hat-trick in the 69th minute, released by Jithin M.S., to extend the lead to 4-2.

Jithin M.S. then capped a fine personal display in the 79th minute, finishing off a flowing team move to seal a 5-2 scoreline. Benali also handed a debut to Pramveer in the closing stages as NorthEast comfortably managed the final minutes.

Semifinal Line-Up Confirmed

With the result, all four 135th Durand Cup semifinalists are now confirmed: Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Sporting Club Delhi, East Bengal FC, and NorthEast United FC. The Highlanders' fourth successive semifinal appearance underscores their growing consistency in India's oldest football tournament.

Key Performers

Ajaraie was the undisputed standout, but Jithin M.S. and Etyan Jesus Gonzalez Morales also contributed meaningfully to the second-half revival. For Shillong Lajong, Figo Syndai and Jota were bright in the first half but could not stem the tide after the break. Macarton Louis Nickson and Asheer Akhtar were booked during a feisty spell in the second half.

NorthEast United now advance to the semifinals of the 135th Durand Cup, where they will face one of the confirmed opponents in what promises to be a fiercely contested final four.