NEUFC, Lajong set up last-4 date in Durand
The defending champions took another step towards their title defence by beating an upbeat Bodoland FC — egged on by a fullhouse of local supporters at SAI Stadium — 4-0 with a brace from Alaaeddine Ajaraie (29', 61'), new recruit Andy Gaitan's (53') first goal for his team and a late strike from Parthib Gogoi (90+2') in Kokrajhar in the second quarterfinal of the day.
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In the first quarterfinal, hosts Shillong Lajong came from behind to overcome Indian Navy FT 2-1 at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong to secure their second consecutive semifinal appearance.
Second-half goals from Damaitphang Lyngdoh (69') and Everbrightson Sana Mylliempdah (79') gave the home side the victory after Vijay Marandi (38') had given Indian Navy the lead towards the end of the first half.
Meanwhile, defensive lapse on part of the Bodoland skipper helped Jithin MS make an inroad into the Bodoland box from the right in the 29th minute.
He could have tried to get it past the onrushing goalkeeper. But he looked to his left to find the dangerous Ajaraie standing unmarked, stopped and took a turn that beat Bodoland's last line of defence and a pass with his second touch that reached the Moroccan's feet in front of the box.
And, to continue his exceptional run in Indian football, Ajaraie put the ball in to the left corner for his 33rd goal in 35 matches.
But his 34th goal for
and seventh of the tournament had to wait.
Even as the home side came back stronger after the break, the Highlanders kept up their high pressing game. A 53rd-minute move from skipper Michel Zabaco released Buanthanglun Samte on the left, whose cross was met by Gaitan, whose low strike squeezed past goalkeeper Diamary to double NEUFC's lead and his first for his new club.
Eight minutes later, Ajaraie killed the contest when he found space on receiving Thoi Singh's cross from the right into the box.
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The Moroccan toyed with the goalkeeper and defence before slotting coolly into the net.
Gogoi could have made it 4-0 in the 76th minute if he didn't shoot the ball well over the bar after a brilliant run from the left wing. But he made up for it when substitute Jairo threaded a delightful through ball for Gogoi, who kept his composure to slot into the far corner and complete the 4-0 rout.
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