NorthEast United FC players celebrate after a goal.© NorthEast United FC

Bottom-placed East Bengal FC will make one more attempt to notch their first win of the season when they take on NorthEast United FC in their eighth match of the Indian Super League (ISL) season here on Friday. After losing six straight matches, East Bengal opened their account with a goalless draw against Mohammedan Sporting on November 9 in a Kolkata Derby. They will now want to take one step forward and clinch all three points in front of their home crowd at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan. The Highlanders, on the other hand, have been in an impressive form this season, as they are currently placed at third with 15 points from nine games, thanks to four wins and three draws.

They have scored 21 goals, conceding only 15, and have lost merely once in their previous five matches. They trail the top-placed Bengaluru FC (20) by five points — a gap they will be confident of bridging, given how they have been managing to put the pieces of their jigsaw together of late.

The two sides have faced each other eight times, with NorthEast United and East Bengal FC emerging victorious in four and two matches respectively. A couple of fixtures have resulted in a draw.

NorthEast United have been on an unbelievable run recently, winning thrice and drawing once in their previous four encounters. Avoiding a defeat in Friday’s clash will make it their longest-ever unbeaten sequence since going 11 matches without a loss from January-March 2021.

East Bengal FC head coach Oscar Bruzon acknowledged that NorthEast United will play on the frontfoot in this fixture, but assured that the home team has done its homework properly.

“I don’t think NorthEast United FC is going to come here to neutralise our attacking power, but they are coming to try and score more goals themselves,” Burzon said.

“That’s what I know from what they have been doing in the last games with their frontline. We will try to play our best game, and win the match,” he added.

NorthEast United head coach Juan Pedro Benali mentioned that maintaining a fine balance between their offensive instincts and defensive discipline will be critical in this match.

“Each game is a different story. We need to make big chances to score and at the same time make it equally difficult for them to do so. That’s our objective, because we know we can score and that’s a very important part (of our gameplay),” Benali said. PTI PDS AM PDS AM AM

Action from Punjab FC vs NorthEast United© NorthEast United FC

Mohun Bagan Super Giant secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over NorthEast United FC, overturning two deficits to exact revenge on the Durand Cup champions in a pulsating Indian Super League clash at the Salt Lake Stadium on Monday. The game exploded into life early, with three goals in the opening 24 minutes as both sides traded blows. The Moroccan duo of Mohammed Ali Bemammer (5th) and Alaeddine Ajaraie (24th) were on target for the visitors, while the talented Dippendu Biswas scored his maiden ISL goal with a looping header to level the score in the 10th minute.

Putting aside their nightmarish memories from the Durand Cup final, where they squandered a two-goal lead, Mohun Bagan equalised with Subhasish Bose’s controversial goal in the 61st minute.

Second-half substitute Jason Cummings then sealed the victory with a decisive strike in the 87th minute, securing the first win for last season’s League Shield winners.

Mohun Bagan now have four points from two matches, while the Guwahati franchise have three points.

The victory came as a much-needed boost for the Mariners, who had been under scrutiny after a series of disappointing results, including a penalty-shootout loss to NorthEast United in the Durand Cup final and frustrating draws against Mumbai City FC and Ravshan FC.

This hard-fought win also brings relief to Mohun Bagan manager Jose Molina, who had faced ‘Go Back’ chants here on Wednesday during their draw in the AFC Cup.

The match kicked off with high energy as NorthEast United took the lead just five minutes into the game.

Moroccan midfielder Bemmamer unleashed a powerful low strike from outside the box, capitalising on a clever cutback by Ajaraie.

The shot flew past Mohun Bagan keeper Vishal Kaith, sending the visiting side into an early lead.

Mohun Bagan quickly responded through Dippendu after 10 minutes.

A well-delivered free-kick from Petratos found the head of Dippendu, who looped the ball into the far corner, completely catching NEUFC goalkeeper Gurmeet Singh off guard.

The Mariners were back on level terms.

However, NorthEast United struck again in the 24th minute with one of the finest counter-attacking goals of the season as the Durand Cup final memory started to haunt the supporters again.

Ajaraie and Jithin combined brilliantly down the right flank, with the latter threading the ball back to Ajaraie inside the box.

The Moroccan forward blasted a clinical shot across the goal to restore the Highlanders’ lead at 2-1.

Mohun Bagan pressed for another equaliser but struggled to break open a resolute NorthEast defence.

A crucial moment came in the 38th minute when Greg Stewart’s low drive was cleared off the line by captain Miguel Zabaco, maintaining NEUFC’s lead into half-time.

The second-half saw Mohun Bagan make two substitutions in the 59th minute, bringing on Sahal Abdul Samad and Jason Cummings in an attempt to add creativity and firepower.

Their impact was immediate as Mohun Bagan upped the pressure.

In the 61st minute, controversy erupted when Subhasish Bose capitalised on a mistake by Gurmeet, who failed to hold on to a looping header.

Subhasish slotted the ball into the net from close range, but NEUFC players furiously protested, claiming the goalkeeper had been fouled.

Despite their protests, the goal stood, levelling the match at 2-2.

The drama continued as Bemmamer received a yellow card for dissent following the disputed goal.

Mohun Bagan continued to press, with Sahal coming close to connecting with a cross from Cummings, but the midfielder’s header failed to find the target.

Mohun Bagan finally found the breakthrough when Sahal delivered a perfect low cross into the box, and Cummings, left unmarked, smashed the ball home with a first-time finish, completing the Mariners’ stunning comeback.

In a thrilling Durand Cup 2024 final against Mohun Bagan, NorthEast United fought extreme odds to emerge victorious. The victory isn’t just for the players, the coach and the support staff who worked hard for years, enabling the team to lift its first major trophy, but also for its owner, John Abraham. The actor bought NorthEast United for the first time in 2013, putting his own money to become the sole owner. While most of the other franchises were bought by corporates, John let his passion do the talking, and it took 11 years for him to reap the desired rewards.

Though NorthEast United are yet to win the Indian Super League, the country’s premier football competition, the Durand Cup win against giants Mohun Bagan, is truly a moment to be cherished.

As football fans in India celebrate NorthEast United’s success, an old interview of the actor John Abraham has surfaced were he spoke about suffering losses each year because of his ownership of NorthEast United.

”Every year, I suffer big losses (by investing in NUFC). I am an individual owner. The rest of the teams are owned by multi-billion dollar corporates. It becomes difficult for me to compete with them. I want to represent my team NorthEast United with a lot of pride. I cry when they lose but I love them. I have created it from scratch. I hope someone else takes it forward and does bigger things. I hope I get government backing,” John could be heard saying in the video.

John

JOHN ABRAHAM PRIDE OF FOOTBALL #NeufcChampionDurandCup pic.twitter.com/KgPiVwMhBZ

— John Abraham Universe (@TheJafcians_) September 2, 2024

But, the actor finally had a moment of fulfilment as NorthEast United defeated Mohun Bagan 4-3 in the Duran Cup final.

“The feeling of winning the Durand Cup has not yet sunk in. This is just a lesson for all to never give up, to hold on to the team and support the team, not just in winning times but even when we are losing,” John said after the game.

“There’s light at the end of the tunnel and we proved it! Congratulations to the entire team and the staff… I am just a representation standing here talking on their behalf. The real heroes are the staff, the coach, players, and everyone involved in making this team,” he said before adding, “Big congratulations to the team for making this happen. Also, to those fans, who stood by us and supported us through thick and thin… Thank you so much!”

NorthEast United FC completed a brilliant comeback victory after being two goals down to overcome defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant on penalties and clinch the 133rd Durand Cup in a thrilling final which was played here at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. This is the Highlanders maiden Durand Cup title and their first ever silverware in Indian football. The defending champions had taken a 2-0 lead in the first half through Jason Cummings and Sahal Abdul Samad. Alaaeddine Ajaraie and Guillermo Fernandez equalised in the second half and NorthEast goalkeeper Gurmeet Singh turned the hero, denying two spot kicks to ensure that his side complete a thrilling victory.

Juan Pedro Benali made a tactical decision leaving both Spanish attacking players Guillermo Fernandez and Nestor Albiach on the bench and starting Alaaeddine Ajaraie, Jithin M.S and Thoi Singh in attack with the Moroccan midfield duo of Mohammed Ali Bemammer and Hamza Regragui along with Mayakkannan Muthu shielding the defence led by Michel Zabaco. On the other end, Jose Molina started Jason Cummings and Greg Stewart along with Sahal Abdul Samad in attack with Liston Colaco and Manvir Singh providing the width in the pitch. Subhasish Bose returned to the starting eleven and slotted in a back three in defence along with Thomas Aldred and Alberto Rodriguez.

The nerves of a final were seen in the initial minutes as both teams looked cagey from the first whistle but it was the Kolkata side which settled into the game quicker. Sahal Abdul Samad was pulled down by Asheer Akhtar inside the box and the referee had an easy decision to point to the spot. Jason Cummings calmly slotted the resultant penalty in the goal past Gurmeet Singh by Jason Cummings to give the Mariners the crucial lead in the finals. .

The first half definitely belonged to the home side and they cemented it by doubling their advantage, deep into injury time. Liston Colaco found space in the left wing and surged inside the box past Dinesh Singh. The winger poked the ball into the path of Sahal who was free inside the box and the midfielder expertly scored past the diving Gurmeet Singh as the Mariners went into the break with a 2-0 lead.

NorthEast United levelled the scores in the blink of an eye with Ajaraie and Guillermo scoring in the space of three minutes to stun the Kolkata crowd. Jithin M.S setup Ajaraie on the edge of the box and the Moroccan slotted the ball into the right corner of the goal for the first goal. Minutes later, Ajaraie found Guillermo on the far post and the Spanish forward connected first time to leave Vishal Kaith rooted on the spot as the ball flew past him and stung the net for his fifth goal of the tournament and to level the score for the Highlanders.

The Highlanders continued to dominate the match from there on and pushed for the lead, leaving the Mohun Bagan defence and midfield clueless. Macarton Louis and Jithin M.S stung the palms of Vishal Kaith with their thunderous efforts as NorthEast kept the Mariners on the back foot during this dominant phase of play.

NorthEast continued to dominate proceedings as Mohun Bagan were looking the shadow of their first half performance. The Highlanders pushed for the decisive winning goal and created a couple of clear chances but could not take advantage of them. Dimi Petratos’s left footed effort which went inches wide of the goal was the only meaningful attempt that Mohun Bagan created in the second half as the finals went into penalties.

Gurmeet Singh saved the spot kicks of Liston Colaco and Subhasish Bose while Vishal Kaith could not produce his heroics from the last rounds as all four penalty takers, Guillermo Fernandez, Michel Zabaco, Parthib Gogoi and Alaaeddine Ajaraie converted their respective penalties. Only Jason Cummings, Manvir Singh and Dimitri Petratos could convert their penalties for Mohun Bagan.

Mohun Bagan vs NorthEast United FC Live Streaming, Durand Cup 2024 Live Telecast: Where To Watch© Twitter

Defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant will face an in-form NorthEast United FC in the finals of the 133rd UAE to host major global events in September which will be played on Saturday at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. The defending champions were stretched in both their knockout matches by Punjab FC and Bengaluru FC, winning on penalties and will have their task cut out against a NorthEast side who have been clinical throughout the tournament. They got the better of Indian Army 2-0 and Shillong Lajong 3-0 in the quarterfinals and semi-finals respectively.

Mohun Bagan will have the backing of their loyal supporters and head coach Jose Molina talked about the home advantage for his team in tomorrow’s match.

“I think it’s really good to have home support but in the pitch it will be eleven players taking on eleven players. So it’s never an advantage to play in front of the home crowd. There will be pressure as the home side but the players are experienced enough to handle that,” Mohun Bagan star forward, Greg Stewart said.

“I feel a bit pressured to play in front of the home crowd. Because it is a do and die match. It’s going to be a tough match tomorrow against a very good NorthEast side,” Jose Molina was quoted in a release from Durand Cup as saying.

On the other hand, NorthEast Head Coach Juan Pedro Benali sounded excited to play in front of the Kolkata crowd, “It’s fantastic to play in front of such an amazing crowd in Kolkata. There is nothing to lose for us. We have played good football and have come here to give our best in front of such an amazing crowd, fantastic city and amazing people.”

Vishal Kaith has been in terrific form between the posts for the Mariners and will be once again key for them along with the star-studded attack line of Dimitri Petratos, Greg Stewart, Jason Cummings, Liston Colaco, Sahal Abdul Samad and Manvir Singh.

NorthEast United’s defence led by their captain Michel Zabaco and Moroccan Hamza Regragui have let in just a solitary goal in the whole tournament.

Mohun Bagan have let in five goals in the two knockout matches and will look to rectify their mistakes against the solid attack line that consists of Jithin M.S, Nestor Albiach and Guillermo Fernandez who are constantly supplied balls from the midfield by the mercurial Moroccan, Mohammed Ali Bemammer. “NorthEast is a very good team. We have seen that throughout the tournament. They have good wingers. But we have full confidence in our boys and we will give our best in the pitch tomorrow”, commented Jose Molina about the opposition.

“We are here to give our one hundred percent and win the trophy, said NorthEast United Captain Michel Zabaco. They have are a very good team and have solid individual players but we will be playing to our game plan and come away with a win.” the Spanish defender added.

The finals promise to be an enthralling contest and at the end of 90 minutes or even penalties, one team will either be winning a record-breaking 18th Durand Cup title or the other team will be winning their first ever Durand Cup and according to the Highlanders Head Coach Juan Pedro Benali, “We have our weapons and they have theirs and it is going to be a terrific game and at the end of the match we will be congratulating the best team.”

NorthEast United FC players celebrate after scoring against Shillong Lajong.© Twitter