NorthEast United FC extended their unbeaten run in the Durand Cup to 14 matches with a commanding 4-1 victory over Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC in a Group F fixture of the 135th Durand Cup at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Saturday, 8 August. A brace from Moroccan forward Alaaeddine Ajaraie and late goals from substitutes Macarton Louis Nickson and debutant Etyan Jesus Gonzalez Morales sealed the defending champions' progress toward the knockout stage.

First Half: Penalty Lead, Shock Equaliser

Head coach Juan Pedro Benali deployed his side in an attacking 4-2-4 formation, and the Highlanders immediately controlled possession, pressing Karbi Anglong deep into their own half. The pressure yielded results in the 7th minute when Junior Onguene Nkengue brought down Ajaraie inside the box following a corner, and the referee pointed to the spot. Ajaraie stepped up and converted calmly, sending goalkeeper Jaspreet Singh the wrong way for a 1-0 lead.

However, Karbi Anglong hit back against the run of play in the 28th minute. A misplaced pass from NorthEast defender Soraisham Dinesh Singh gifted possession to Nkengue, who made amends for his earlier foul by finishing coolly from close range to level at 1-1. Despite Ajaraie testing Jaspreet with a well-struck free-kick — which the goalkeeper tipped away brilliantly — and Redeem Tlang posing repeated threats, the teams went into the break level.

Benali's Substitutions Turn the Tide

Benali introduced Parthib Sunder Gogoi and Macarton at the interval, and the double change paid off almost immediately. Just three minutes into the second half, Gogoi picked out Ajaraie inside the box, and the Moroccan produced a precise left-footed finish to restore NorthEast's lead at 2-1. The goal was Ajaraie's fifth of the tournament, placing him joint-top of the Durand Cup scoring charts.

The second half was played at a frantic tempo. Ajaraie came close to a hat-trick in the 52nd minute with a header from a corner that narrowly missed. Karbi Anglong continued to threaten on the counter — Nkengue's powerful long-range effort in that period forced goalkeeper Dipesh Chauhan into a scrambling second-attempt save. Benali then introduced Spanish debutant Etyan Jesus Gonzalez Morales just after the hour mark to add further firepower.

Late Goals Seal a Comfortable Win

NorthEast put the result beyond doubt in the 83rd minute when Buanthanglun Samte delivered a pinpoint cross into the area and Macarton Louis Nickson rose highest to head past the stationary Jaspreet Singh, making it 3-1. The Highlanders did not stop there. In the sixth minute of stoppage time, Abdul Rabeeh burst down the left flank and cut the ball back for Gonzalez Morales, who tapped in to complete the 4-1 scoreline and mark his Indian football debut with a goal.

What It Means for NorthEast United's Durand Cup Campaign

The result strengthens NorthEast United FC's push for a place in the knockout rounds of the 135th Durand Cup. The defending champions have now gone unbeaten in the competition since their last defeat in 2023 — a run of 14 matches that underlines their dominance in the tournament. Benali's willingness to use attacking substitutions effectively has been a recurring theme, and Saturday's performance offered further evidence of the squad's depth. The Highlanders will look to carry this momentum into their next Group F fixture.