Durand Cup 2025: NorthEast United beat FC1 3-1, enter quarterfinals
Synopsis
NorthEast United FC swept through Group F of the 135th Durand Cup without dropping a point, beating FC1 3-1 in Guwahati. Parthib Gogoi's brace and Ajaraie's sixth goal of the tournament did the damage — and a debutant goalkeeper's penalty save inside seven minutes set the tone for a dominant Highlanders night.
Key Takeaways
NorthEast United FC beat FC1 3-1 at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati on 11 August .
Parthib Sunder Gogoi scored a brace; Alaaeddine Ajaraie added the third — his sixth goal of the tournament.
The Highlanders finished Group F with a perfect three wins from three matches.
Debutant goalkeeper K.
Mohanraj saved a penalty inside seven minutes to keep NorthEast level early on.
FC1 ended their debut Durand Cup campaign with three points from three matches.
Head coach Juan Pedro Benali made 10 changes to his starting XI for the fixture.
NorthEast United FC sealed a place in the 135th Durand Cup quarterfinals with a commanding 3-1 victory over FC1 in their final Group F fixture at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Tuesday, 11 August. The Highlanders completed the group stage with a perfect record — three wins from three matches — to finish as Group F toppers.
Scorers and Key Performers
Parthib Sunder Gogoi was the standout performer, netting in each half to claim a brace. Alaaeddine Ajaraie added the third, taking his tournament tally to an impressive six goals. Mohmad Ilyas scored a consolation for FC1 in the 71st minute, catching the Highlanders' defence momentarily off guard.
How the Match Unfolded
FC1 had an early opportunity to take the lead when NorthEast defender Robin Yadav handled the ball from a corner inside the penalty area, conceding a penalty inside the opening seven minutes. Mousa Ahmed Quersehi stepped up but was denied by debutant goalkeeper K. Mohanraj, who produced a fine low diving save to his left.
NorthEast responded swiftly. Antonio Moyano played in Jithin M.S., whose low cross found Parthib Gogoi unmarked at the back post to slot home. Nine minutes after the restart, Gogoi doubled the advantage — reacting sharply to a header from fellow Spaniard Eneko Satrústegui Plano following a Moyano free-kick. Ajaraie then chipped the goalkeeper clinically to make it 3-0 before Ilyas pulled one back for FC1 with a composed finish through the goalkeeper's legs.
Rotation and Debuts
NorthEast United head coach Juan Pedro Benali made 10 changes to his starting XI, with Moyano the only player retained from the previous match. Spaniards Etyan González Morales and Eneko Satrústegui Plano made their first starts for the club. FC1 head coach Khalid Qayoom made two changes, recalling Mousa Ahmed Quersehi and Ivorian defender Tetty Armando Yoko after their suspensions.
FC1's Durand Cup Debut
The Jammu and Kashmir-based side concluded their maiden Durand Cup campaign with three points from three matches. Despite enjoying the majority of possession in the first half and earning four corner kicks, FC1 lacked the cutting edge in the final third to seriously test the NorthEast backline.
What's Next
NorthEast United now advance to the quarterfinals, extending their winning streak in the competition. Elsewhere on Wednesday, NEROCA FC take on FC Raengdai in a Group D fixture at 4:00 PM IST at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium in Imphal, while Mohammedan SC face Indian Army FT in Group B at 7:00 PM IST at Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.
Point of View
But the more telling detail is the squad depth Benali demonstrated — rotating 10 players and still winning comfortably. Ajaraie's six-goal haul in the group stage marks him as the tournament's most dangerous attacker heading into the knockouts. FC1's debut campaign, meanwhile, exposes the gulf between established ISL sides and emerging clubs in knockout football — a structural conversation Indian football has long deferred. The Durand Cup remains one of the few platforms where that gap is made visible.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Did NorthEast United FC qualify for the Durand Cup quarterfinals?
Yes. NorthEast United FC qualified for the 135th Durand Cup quarterfinals after finishing Group F with three wins from three matches, including a 3-1 victory over FC1 in Guwahati on 11 August.
Who scored for NorthEast United against FC1?
Parthib Sunder Gogoi scored twice — once in each half — and Alaaeddine Ajaraie added the third goal. Ajaraie's strike was his sixth of the tournament.
Who scored FC1's consolation goal?
Mohmad Ilyas scored FC1's consolation goal in the 71st minute, latching onto a through ball from Mousa Ahmed Quersehi and finishing through the goalkeeper's legs.
What was significant about the early penalty miss?
FC1 were awarded a penalty inside the first seven minutes after a handball by NorthEast's Robin Yadav, but debutant goalkeeper K. Mohanraj saved Mousa Ahmed Quersehi's spot-kick with a diving stop to his left. NorthEast took the lead just two minutes later.
How did FC1 perform in their debut Durand Cup campaign?
FC1, representing Jammu and Kashmir, concluded their maiden Durand Cup campaign with three points from three matches. They showed moments of promise — holding the majority of possession at times — but lacked the finishing quality to convert their chances.
