Guwahati, August 11, 2026: NorthEast United FC secured their place in the quarter-finals of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup with a comfortable 3-1 win over FC1 in their final Group F match at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium on Tuesday.
Parthib Sunder Gogoi scored twice, while Alaaeddine Ajaraie added the third for the Highlanders. Mohmad Ilyas scored FC1’s only goal.
The victory gave NorthEast United a perfect group-stage record. They finished as Group F winners with three wins from three matches. FC1, meanwhile, ended their debut Durand Cup campaign with three points.
FC1 had an early chance to take the lead after NorthEast defender Robin Yadav was penalised for handball inside the box. However, K. Mohanraj made an excellent low save to deny Mousa Ahmed Quersehi from the penalty spot.
NorthEast United quickly made FC1 pay for the missed opportunity. Two minutes later, Antonio Moyano found Jithin M.S., who sent a low cross into the box. Gogoi arrived unmarked at the far post and calmly finished to put the Highlanders ahead in the 11th minute.
FC1 enjoyed more possession during the opening stages but struggled to create clear chances. NorthEast remained compact and defended well to take their one-goal advantage into half-time.
The Highlanders doubled their lead nine minutes after the restart. Moyano delivered a dangerous free-kick into the box. Eneko Satrústegui’s header fell to Gogoi, who controlled the ball before finishing through a crowded defence.
NorthEast continued to dominate and eventually added a third in the 68th minute. Gogoi played a precise through ball to Ajaraie, who calmly chipped the advancing goalkeeper. The goal was Ajaraie’s sixth of the tournament.
FC1 pulled one back three minutes later. Quersehi sent a through ball to Mohmad Ilyas, who took advantage of a lapse in the NorthEast defence before slotting the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs.
FC1 could not build on the goal, however. NorthEast controlled the midfield and created further chances before comfortably seeing out the match.
The win confirmed NorthEast United’s place in the quarter-finals and extended their winning run in the Durand Cup.
