Daijiworld Media Network - Guwahati

Guwahati, Aug 11: NorthEast United FC marched into the quarterfinals of the 135th Durand Cup with a perfect group-stage record after defeating FC1 3-1 in their final Group F fixture at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium here on Tuesday.

Parthib Gogoi scored in each half, while Alaaeddine Ajaraie added NorthEast United’s third goal. Mohmad Ilyas scored FC1’s consolation goal.

The Highlanders finished their Group F campaign with three wins from three matches to top the group. FC1, meanwhile, ended their debut Durand Cup campaign with three points from three matches.

NorthEast United head coach Juan Pedro Benali made 10 changes to his starting XI, with Spanish midfielder Antonio Moyano the only player retained from the previous outing. Fellow Spaniards Etyan González Morales and Eneko Satrústegui Plano were handed their first starts for the club.

FC1 coach Khalid Qayoom made two changes, bringing in midfielder Mousa Ahmed Quersehi and Ivorian defender Tetty Armando Yoko, who returned from suspension in place of Kamran Hameed and Aafreen Bashir.

FC1 were awarded a penalty inside the opening seven minutes after NorthEast United defender Robin Yadav handled the ball from a corner inside the penalty area.

Quersehi stepped up to take the spot-kick but was denied by NorthEast debutant K. Mohanraj, who produced a fine low diving save to his left.

NorthEast United punished FC1 almost immediately, taking the lead two minutes later through a well-worked move.

Moyano picked out Jithin M.S., who made a clever run between two defenders before delivering a low cross across the penalty area. Parthib Sunder Gogoi arrived unmarked at the back post and calmly slotted the ball home.

FC1 enjoyed the majority of possession during the opening 25 minutes, with NorthEast United opting not to press high. The Jammu and Kashmir side earned four corners during this period but lacked the quality in the final third to seriously test Mohanraj.

NorthEast maintained a disciplined mid-block and remained compact, making it difficult for FC1 to build attacks through the centre. FC1 instead looked to exploit space down the right flank and create opportunities from wide areas, but a lack of numbers inside the box prevented them from making the most of their crosses.

The Highlanders went into the break with a one-goal advantage.

NorthEast doubled their lead nine minutes after the restart, with Gogoi scoring his second of the match.

Moyano delivered a dangerous free-kick into the area, and Satrústegui directed his header into a crowded box. Gogoi reacted quickly to bring the ball under control before producing a composed finish through a crowd of players and beyond the goalkeeper.

The Highlanders then increased the pressure, with substitute Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia coming close to adding another after Jithin delivered an inviting cross into the box.

Lalrinzuala later forced a save from FC1 goalkeeper Aftab Ashraf at the end of a swift counter-attack after being played through by substitute Alaaeddine Ajaraie.

Ajaraie missed a good opportunity moments later when he failed to find the empty net after Ashraf could not gather a cross cleanly. The FC1 goalkeeper then made amends by saving Ajaraie’s left-footed effort in the next attack.

NorthEast eventually added a third goal when Gogoi threaded a precise through ball into the path of Ajaraie, who calmly chipped the advancing goalkeeper.

The goal was Ajaraie’s sixth of the tournament.

FC1 pulled one back in the 71st minute after a momentary lapse in concentration from the NorthEast defence.

Quersehi played a through ball to Mohmad Ilyas, who timed his run perfectly to stay onside. With the NorthEast defence expecting an offside flag, Ilyas controlled the ball before calmly slotting it through the goalkeeper’s legs.

NorthEast continued to find openings and, with fresh legs introduced, maintained control in midfield to prevent FC1 from mounting a comeback.

Lalrinzuala and Ajaraie had further chances to extend the lead but could not convert them.

The Highlanders comfortably saw out the remainder of the match to secure the victory, confirm their place in the quarterfinals and extend their winning run in the Durand Cup.

Wednesday’s matches:

NEROCA FC vs FC Raengdai (Group D) – 4 pm, Khuman Lampak Main Stadium, Imphal

Mohammedan SC vs Indian Army FT (Group B) – 7 pm, Kishore Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata