Shillong, 10 Aug: Already through to the quarterfinals of the 134th Indian Oil Durand Cup, NorthEast United FC will aim to wrap up the group stage with a flawless record when they take on Rangdajied United FC in their final Group E fixture at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Monday.
DURAND CUP
The Highlanders booked their place in the knockouts with a gritty 2-1 win over Shillong Lajong FC in the Northeast Derby. Both sides are tied on six points from two games, but NorthEast United progressed on a head-to-head advantage.
On the other hand, Rangdajied United FC are yet to register a point in the tournament, having lost both their matches so far.
However, NorthEast United FC’s head coach Juan Pedro Benali emphasised that his team is focused on the game and is not thinking about the quarterfinals.
“We have qualified for the quarterfinals, but that doesn’t mean the work stops. Rather, we need to work harder because we have a lot of new players, we need to know each other better and improve. We are focused on the game, and after that, we will think of the quarterfinals,” Benali said.
Moroccan forward Alaaeddine Ajaraie has been in blistering form, netting all five of NorthEast United’s goals so far — a hat-trick against Malaysian Armed Forces and a brace against Shillong Lajong.
New signings Andy Rodriguez, Chema Nunez, Jairo Samperio, Lalrinzuala, and Lalbiakdika have all impressed in their debut Durand Cup campaign. Jithin MS, the MVP of the 2024 Durand Cup, has been a constant menace on the flanks with his pace and trickery.
In midfield, Rodriguez, alongside Mayakkannan and Macarton, has dictated the tempo, while the defensive unit led by captain Michel Zabaco and supported by Asheer Akhtar, Dinesh Singh, Bekey Oram, Redeem Tlang, Buanthanglun Samte, and Tondonba Singh has provided solidity.
Goalkeeper Gurmeet Singh produced a stellar performance in the Northeast Derby, standing tall under pressure.
Unbeaten in the 2024 Durand Cup and in two matches so far this year, Benali’s men will be looking to extend their unbeaten streak in the competition to nine matches when they face Rangdajied United FC. As NorthEast United FC step onto the pitch for their final Group E clash, the stakes might appear lower with qualification already secured, but the mission remains crystal clear — to keep momentum rolling, sharpen the team’s chemistry, and send a strong message to the rest of the competition.
For Benali, this is not merely about preserving an unbeaten run, but about refining the blend of fresh talent and experienced campaigners, ensuring that every player understands his role heading into the business end of the tournament.
The blistering form of Ajaraie, the creativity of Rodriguez and Nunez, the relentless work rate of the midfield engine room, and the defensive resilience led by Zabaco have given the Highlanders a well-rounded edge. Against Rangdajied United, a team still seeking their first points, the Highlanders have an opportunity to assert their dominance, test tactical variations, and give more minutes to those on the fringes.
Yet, complacency will have no place in their approach. The Durand Cup has often been unforgiving to sides that take their foot off the pedal, and Benali knows that building a winning habit now could be the difference between lifting the trophy and falling short when the pressure peaks. Monday’s fixture, then, is not just a formality — it’s the next step in a campaign the Highlanders hope will end with silverware in their hands.