Rangdajied fight back but NorthEast United salvage draw in Group E finale
Having already secured a quarterfinal berth, NEUFC head coach Juan Pedro Benali made sweeping changes to his lineup, rotating ten players and retaining only Jose Nunez in midfield in a 4-3-3 formation. Parthib Gogoi led the attack in the absence of in-form striker Alaaeddine Ajaraie, flanked by Thoi Singh and Spaniard Jairo.
RUFC head coach Aiborlang Khongjee also rang the changes after their defeat to Malaysian Armed Forces, bringing in six new faces and setting up in a similar 4-3-3. Manbhakupar spearheaded the attack with Everson and Pasborlang on the wings, while skipper Balamlynti operated from full-back and Meshan Sumer took his place between the posts.
The match began cautiously, but NEUFC soon tested Rangdajied's defence. In the 6th minute, Nunez's curling free kick was safely gathered by Sumer. The Highlanders probed regularly but were wasteful in the final third, while Rangdajied struggled to penetrate beyond midfield.
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