Defending champions NorthEast United FC produced a stunning attacking display to dismantle debutants Diamond Harbour FC 6-1 in the grand finale of the 134th IndianOil Durand Cup at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Friday, sealing back-to-back titles in emphatic fashion.
Six different Highlanders got on the scoresheet on a night when Moroccan forward Alaaeddine Ajaraie stole the spotlight with three assists and a late penalty. Luka Majcen registered Diamond Harbour’s lone goal in the 68th minute, courtesy of a heavy deflection off Jobby Justin’s header.
NorthEast coach Juan Pedro Benali made two attacking changes from the semifinal win over Shillong Lajong, bringing in Huidom Thoi Singh and Parthib Gogoi to join Ajaraie up front. Skipper Miguel Zabaco anchored the defence, while Spaniards Andy Gaitan and Chema Nunez partnered Mayakkannan in midfield in a familiar 4-3-3 setup.
Diamond Harbour, led by Spanish coach Kibu Vicuña, lined up in a similar formation with captain Jobby Justin and Girik Mahesh Khosla supporting Slovenian striker Majcen. Mikel Kortazar partnered Sairuatkima in central defence ahead of goalkeeper Mirshad Koottappunna.
The contest began with both sides trading early blows. Ajaraie and Parthib tested Mirshad within the first four minutes, while Jobby and Kortazar created chances for the debutants. Gurmeet produced a smart diving save from Jobby in the 23rd minute, keeping NorthEast level.
The breakthrough came in the 30th minute. Mirshad’s save from Mayakkannan’s strike fell kindly to defender Asheer Akhtar, who made no mistake to put the champions ahead. On the stroke of half-time, Parthib Gogoi doubled the lead with a composed right-foot finish, giving the Highlanders a comfortable 2-0 cushion at the break.
Any hopes of a Diamond Harbour comeback faded quickly after the restart. Ajaraie burst past the defence to square for Thoi Singh, who tapped in for 3-0 in the 50th minute. Majcen pulled one back in the 68th minute after Jobby’s header deflected off him, but NorthEast quickly restored control.
Substitute Jairo struck from the edge of the box in the 81st minute, before Andy Gaitan added a fifth from Ajaraie’s low cross. The Moroccan capped his masterclass by winning and converting a stoppage-time penalty to complete the 6-1 rout.
The victory made NorthEast the first team in 25 years to win successive Durand Cup titles and equalled the tournament’s joint-largest margin of victory in a final since 1896.
Awards sweep
NorthEast United also walked away with all the individual honours. Ajaraie claimed both the Golden Ball and Golden Boot, finishing with eight goals, while goalkeeper Gurmeet won the Golden Glove after registering two clean sheets.
