NorthEast United FC won their first silverware – the Durand Cup 2024 – by defeating defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant on August 31.
In-form NorthEast United FC came from two goals behind to draw level in the second half of the final before taking the game into the penalties. The Highlanders then kept their nerve to win the final – their first-ever win in the final.
Two moments of individual brilliance equalised the game for NorthEast United FC. Guillermo and Alaeddine Ajaraei brought it back to 2-2. Earlier, first-half strikes from Jason Cummings and Sahal Abdul Samad had given the Mariners a 2-0 advantage at the break. Cummings opened the scoring from the spot before Sahal doubled the lead just on the stroke of half-time.
Mohun Bagan adopted an aggressive strategy from the outset, gaining a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute through a penalty converted by Cummings. This goal boosted Mohun Bagan’s confidence, and they extended their lead to 2-0 before halftime, with Sahal scoring in the 45th minute.
However, NorthEast United, who struggled in the first half, played a completely different game in the second half. For the first time in the Durand Cup final, the Guwahati-based ISL team put consistent pressure on the opposition’s goalbox. Alaeddine Ajaraei scored in the 55th minute to bring NorthEast United back into the game, reducing the deficit to 2-1. Just three minutes later, in the 58th minute, Guillermo scored the second goal for NorthEast United, bringing the match to 2-2. Despite the increasing tension, the game ended in a 2-2 draw after 90 minutes.
The penalty shootout began after the game ended 2-2 at the end of 90 minutes. The first two penalties saw the score tied at 2-2. But NorthEast United goalkeeper Gurmeet Singh blocked Mohun Bagan’s third shot, taken by Liston. Meanwhile, Parthiv Gogoi of Assam scored NorthEast United’s third penalty, giving his team a 3-2 lead. This marked the start of NorthEast United’s path to victory and glory.
The defending champions were stretched in both their knockout matches by Punjab FC and Bengaluru FC, winning on penalties. However, Mohun Bagan Super Giant could not get past NEUFC when it mattered the most in front of their home fans.
Mohun Bagan had the backing of their loyal supporters who came in numbers to pack the Kolkata stadium. However, it was the 1000-odd highlanders who had the last laugh.
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