Ajaraie hat-trick in NEUFC's opening win
NorthEast United FC
began their Durand Cup title defence in style with star striker Alaaeddine Ajaraie scoring a hat-trick in a 3-1 win over Malaysian Armed Forces FT at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Saturday.
It was the defending champions' game from the start as Ajaraie and Jithin MS kept pushing the visiting defenders' limits upfront. And it didn't take very long for them to cave in as last season's ISL top scorer pounced on a long cross to beat the goalkeeper with a perfect finish in the 23rd minute. Six minutes later, it was Jithin, who dribbled past three defenders inside the box but selflessly gave the final pass to his Moroccan strike partner to double his and the team's lead.
Benali tested his bench strength and brought in the likes of new recruit and I-League top scorer Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia to replace Jithin and link up with Ajaraie. The high press paid dividends in the 70th minute when Ajaraie completed his hat-trick with another finish to a rebound inside the box.
The Malaysian side earned a consolation goal towards the end of the game when Mohd Amir Faizal lofted a spectacular long effort that dipped into the goal for their first goal of the tournament.
by Taboola
by Taboola
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1 Ladakh script history in draw: 1 Ladakh FC made a dream start to their national football journey by holding Nepal's seasoned side, Tribhuvan Army, to a 1-1 draw in their first match of the Durand Cup campaign in Jamshedpur on Saturday.
In the 'Himalayan derby', the newcomers from Ladakh took advantage of a defensive mistake from the Nepalese team to script history through defender Siju, who headed in the first goal by a Ladakhi player in the tournament, before it was Tribhuvan Army's turn to pounce on a mistake by the 1 Ladakh goalkeeper and back four as Nirajan Dhami equalised with a calm finish just before the break.
After the change of ends, the hot and humid conditions began taking a toll on the players as cramps, injuries and drink breaks slowed the pace of the match. But despite the numerous moves and attacks by Tribhuvan Army for a winner, the debutants held on to earn a draw and a point in their first national outing.
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