Kalinga Super Cup: NorthEast United Crush Mohammedan Sporting in Round of 16

Bhubaneswar, April 24 (NationPress) Striker Alaeddine Ajaraie netted a hat trick as NorthEast United FC completely overpowered and dismantled Mohammedan Sporting with a score of 6-0 in the Kalinga Super Cup on Thursday, confirming their advancement to the quarterfinals of the tournament. With Ajaraie contributing to the scoreboard alongside three other goal scorers, NorthEast made a clear statement of intent to the remaining teams in the tournament.

Jithin MS (3’) initiated the scoring early, followed by Ajaraie (18’, 57’, 90+2’). Nestor Albiach Roger (42’) and Guillermo Fernandez Hierro (66’) added the other two goals.

NorthEast United has consistently demonstrated an ability to score early this season, and they maintained that trend with a goal in the third minute. Jithin M.S. capitalized on some poor defending from Mohammedan to deftly volley Nestor Albiach's cross from inside the six-yard box, giving his team the early advantage.

Mohammedan gradually found their footing in the match, and in the 12th minute, Lalremsanga had a golden opportunity after being set up by a cheeky run from Robi Hansda on the right side of the box. Although the angle was tight, the winger took a shot that was expertly saved by Gurmeet in NorthEast's goal.

NorthEast United found their second goal in the 18th minute, courtesy of the ISL's top scorer, Alaeddine Ajaraie. Guillermo Hierro delivered a precise pass to the Moroccan outside the box, and with a swift turn, Ajaraie eluded his marker and drove into the box to finish calmly into the far corner.

Ajaraie looked to have returned the favor with a well-placed cross to Guillermo in the box, but the Spaniard's header went just wide.

The Highlanders extended their lead to three shortly before halftime when Jithin intercepted a ball during Mohammedan's attempts to play out from the back and set up Albiach, who struck a powerful shot into the bottom corner.

NorthEast's dominance continued into the second half, and just before the hour mark, Ajaraie added a fourth. After Guillermo's low cross was met by a sliding Thoi Singh, the ball was saved by Subhajit Bhattacharjee, but the rebound fell kindly to Ajaraie, who slotted it in from two yards.

Robi Hansda nearly scored a stunning goal for Mohammedan, attempting a chip from 30 yards that hit the crossbar.

NorthEast tallied their fifth in the 66th minute, with Guillermo finishing off a brilliant pass from Ajaraie. With the match in hand, all eyes were on whether Ajaraie would complete his hat trick, which he did by converting an injury-time penalty.

Having played a pivotal role in four of the six goals, Alaeddine Ajaraie was awarded the Kalinga Player of the Match accolade by Ms. Minati Mohapatra, an eight-time national champion in women's cycling and the first sportsperson from Odisha to win an Arjuna Award.