NorthEast United FC booked its place in the quarterfinals of the 135th Durand Cup with a convincing 3-1 victory over FC1 in its final Group F match at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Tuesday.
The Highlanders completed a flawless group-stage campaign, winning all three of their matches to finish at the top of Group F with nine points.
Parthib Gogoi led NorthEast United’s charge with two goals, finding the net once in each half. Moroccan forward Alaaeddine Ajaraie also got on the scoresheet as NorthEast United secured another comfortable victory. Mohmad Ilyas scored FC1’s only goal of the contest.
The result confirmed NorthEast United’s progression to the knockout stage while bringing FC1’s first Durand Cup campaign to an end. The Jammu and Kashmir representative finished the group stage with three points from three matches.
While NorthEast United has secured top spot, the battle for the second position in Group F remains open. The final standings will become clear after Bodoland FC faces Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC in Thursday’s concluding group fixture.
Elsewhere, Nongkseh Sports and Social Club produced one of the day’s most emphatic results by thrashing Mumbay FC 7-0 in their Group E encounter at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong.
Hardycliff Nongbri and Dawancha Carlos Challam were the leading scorers for Nongkseh, netting two goals each. Kitboklang Pale, Chesterpoul Lyngdoh and Sheen Stevenson added one goal apiece to complete the seven-goal rout.
The result lifted Nongkseh into second place in the Group E standings with four points from three matches, keeping the side well placed after completing its fixtures.
For Mumbay FC, the heavy defeat marked a disappointing end to its campaign. The Mumbay-based team finished its group-stage run without collecting a point.
Tuesday’s results therefore produced contrasting outcomes across the two groups, with NorthEast United confirming its place among the quarterfinalists after a perfect opening phase and Nongkseh strengthening its position in Group E with a dominant attacking display.
