NorthEast United beat Shillong Lajong 3-0 in the Durand Cup 2024 semifinal at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Monday to enter its maiden final in the tournament. With this, the Highlanders better their finish in the 2023 edition, in which the side crashed out in the semifinals.
It was Thoi Singh who broke the deadlock in the 13th minute against the run of play as host Lajong looked to be the side to beat in the opening 10 minutes or so.
A deft backheel flick from Moroccan forward Alaaeddine Ajaraie found a sprinting Jithin MS inside the box, who played a cross across the face of the goal to find a sliding Thoi who completed the team move.
About 20 minutes later, Ajaraie got his name on the scoresheet after his goal was initially flagged offside by the assistant referee. It was referee Crystal John who overturned the decision after having a short chat with his assistant.
At the fag end of the game, substitute Parthib Gogoi ran down the left flank with intent as he went for the shot himself and curled it past the opponent goalkeeper to add a third.
More to follow.
