NEUFC begin Durand campaign in style with 3-1 win over Malaysian side
Moroccan striker Alaaeddine Ajaraie, the top scorer from last season's ISL, starred for NEUFC with a stunning hat-trick (23', 29', 70') to kick off the title defence in style.
For the losers, Mohammad Amir scored a consolation goal in the 88th minute.
The match started with both teams pressing hard and battling for possession. However, the breakthrough came in the 23rd minute when debutant Andres Rodriguez delivered a sublime through ball for Ajaraie, who coolly slotted it past the keeper with his left foot, sending it into the right corner.
Just six minutes later, the Moroccan doubled the lead after a sublime team move. Initiated by Ajaraie himself, the forward played it wide to Jithin, who dazzled the defence with close control inside the box before squaring it back. Ajaraie made no mistake from close range, smashing it into the roof of the net.
Lalbiakdika had an opportunity to make it 3-0 in the 39th minute but failed to keep his volley down. Moments later, Jithin floated in a cross for Ajaraie, but the Malaysian keeper was quick off his line to cut out the danger.
The best chance for the visitors came just before halftime, when Ibrahim Muhamat's curling effort from the edge of the box was palmed away by Dipesh Chauhan.
The second half began on an even footing, with both sides probing but unable to create any clear-cut chances early on. In the 59th minute, a shot from Muhammad Amir Faizal was blocked by Highlanders' defender Lalbiakdika, who had come on at halftime to replace Zabaco.
The Malaysian Armed Forces began to show more attacking intent, coming close on two occasions in the final 10 minutes. However, they failed to capitalise, with poor finishing letting them down.
Despite the Malaysian Armed Forces enjoying a momentary better spell, it was Ajaraie again who delivered the knockout blow. In the 70th minute, Bekey Oram delivered a lofted diagonal from the right half-space that found Ajaraie on the left. The Moroccan danced past defenders before curling a majestic left-footed shot into the bottom corner to complete his hat-trick and seal the game.
The Malaysian Armed Forces finally pulled one back in the 88th minute, with Muhammad Amir Faisal converting from close range, but it proved no more than a late consolation. PTI AM AM KHS
view comments
First Published:
August 02, 2025, 22:30 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
8 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Brook, Root hit tons, India still left with some hope
Kolkata: The wheels seemed to be coming off when Akash Deep tried stopping Harry Brook's drive with his feet and ended up kicking into the ropes for a four. A ball later, Brook raced to a hundred that should have been curtailed at 19 but for Mohammed Siraj stepping on the ropes after catching him at long leg. England's Joe Root celebrates his century during the fourth day of the fifth Test match between India and England, at The Oval. (PTI) Tired legs and tired minds translated to a tired defence of 373. Unimaginative as well, considering spin was held back till the 43rd over, and when it did come into effect there were no close-in fielders to press home the message that India meant business. Brook had scented blood by then. He smashed a 91-ball hundred, his 10th in Tests, added a swift 195 for the fourth wicket with Joe Root, who then scored his 39th Test hundred and was all set for glory. Till Jacob Bethel chopped Prasidh Krishna onto his stumps. Two overs later, Root was sent back by Krishna, this time by a back of the length ball that he tried to steer on his back foot but ended up guiding to the outstretched hands of Dhruv Jurel. England were coasting but India were still not ready to throw in the towel. That and the timely intervention of the fickle English weather meant the fifth and final Test at the Oval would head to a fifth day with the hosts needing 35 runs and India four wickets. Not three as anticipated because even though Chris Woakes was seen walking around in a shoulder sling, there have been suggestions that he might just do a Malcolm Marshall and bat one-handed should things come to a head for England. It certainly didn't seem so during the post-lunch session when England added 153 runs at well over five runs per over but such has been the cyclical nature of this riveting Test series that India had to bounce back at some time. When they did, runs dried up for England. In the brief post-tea session, England faced 10.2 overs, lost two wickets and scored only 22. At stumps, Jamie Overton — he has a Test fifty and a first-class hundred — and Jamie Smith, who has already scored a hundred this series, at Birmingham, together. And even though 35 runs may not look much on the board considering this England team is used to overhauling big scores, India will be well rested Monday morning and the second new ball will be due in 22 balls. An hour of cricket and who knows how this Test might transpire if India catch an early break or two. It might be too much to expect with too little to defend but miracles have been conjured in the past with fewer runs in the bank. That said, India can't be absolved of the way they lost the plot despite getting two early wickets. The start was as usual promising with Siraj, the only fast bowler from either side to play all the five Tests of the series, bowling probing lines. So meticulously was he getting the ball to leave Ben Duckett, clearly England's most dangerous batter in this series, from over the wicket that his dismissal was waiting to happen. That came when Prasidh got Duckett to poke the ball to KL Rahul at slip. Ollie Pope is always a nervous starter but the boundaries he got early into his innings suggested that he was probably primed to play a captain's knock this time. Siraj dashed that hope with a wobble-seam delivery that pitched on good length and nipped in to trap Pope leg-before. Pope reviewed it but Hawk-Eye suggested it was hitting middle of middle, giving Siraj his 20th wicket of the series and sending him clear of the rest of the pack. In came Brook and then came that dropped catch. Fortune favours the brave though. And Brook was valiant this time, gearing up to a pace of scoring so maverick that it started toying with India's psyche. The same over he was dropped, Brook scored two more boundaries to rub salt in Prasidh's wounds. A desperate slash flew through slip and gully for a streaky boundary but Brook didn't care as he raced fifty off 39 balls. Wary of his batting approach, Shubman Gill started spreading the field, prompting Brook to drop the ball close and start taking easy singles. If anything was too short, Brook would pick the midwicket area, but otherwise England's scoreboard kept ticking because of the singles and twos conceded by a hapless India. Root was the ideal anchor during this time, playing chanceless cricket, milking the gaps and taking the occasional boundaries. The 100-run partnership came in 108 balls before Root got to his fifty in 81 balls. Akash Deep was a dud with the old ball, allowing Root to slowly accelerate. Once Brook was dismissed, he took over, hit consecutive boundaries to reach 98 before tucking Akash towards long leg for two runs and completing a memorable hundred in front of his family. It should have been smooth sailing for England from there. But India still had one last fight left in them for the day.
News18
18 minutes ago
- News18
Will Chris Woakes Come In To Bat On Day 5 Of Oval Test? Joe Root Gives Big Update
Last Updated: England's Joe Root has lauded Chris Woakes' dedication despite injury, comparing him to India's Rishabh Pant. Ace England batter Joe Root has said that, as everyone saw India vice-captain Rishabh Pant coming in to bat during the fourth Test despite fracturing his toe, Chris Woakes is also ready to put his body on the line for the team, although he is in immense pain. Woakes had to leave the field on Thursday after landing on his left shoulder while saving a ball smacked by Karun Nair at long-off late during Day 1 of the game. Woakes looked in visible pain as he walked off the field with his left arm wrapped in his sweater. 'Chris Woakes is in a huge amount of pain. We have seen this series, Rishabh Pant batting with a broken foot, Woakes is ready to put his body on the line for England," Root said while speaking at the end of the day's play on Sunday, August 3. At the end of the day, England needed 35 runs to win and India needed three wickets, but if Woakes comes in to bat on Monday, India would need four wickets. 'England seamer Chris Woakes will continue to be monitored throughout the remainder of the Rothesay Fifth Test at The Kia Oval, following a left shoulder injury sustained on day one of the match against India," the ECB had said in a statement on Friday. 'At this stage, the injury has ruled him out of any further participation in the Test. A further assessment will be conducted after the series," the ECB added. Woakes bowled 14 overs on Day 1, picking up the crucial wicket of KL Rahul and conceding 46 runs. Woakes' injury has added to the woes of England, who are missing multiple key cricketers, including skipper Ben Stokes. Gus Atkinson picked up two wickets from his 19 overs on Day 1 and seemed confident to take up the responsibility in Woakes' absence. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
18 minutes ago
- News18
What Was The Reason Behind Joe Root's Unique Celebration After Another Hundred?
Last Updated: Joe Root scored his 39th Test century, paying tribute to Graham Thorpe, who died by suicide. Root wore a bandana in Thorpe's style, highlighting mental health issues in cricket. On Sunday, seasoned England batter Joe Root scored his 39th Test century and paid tribute to former England batter Graham Thorpe, who died by suicide on August 4, 2024. Root honoured Thorpe, whose birth anniversary was two days prior, by wearing a bandana in his style on the fourth day of the fifth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at The Oval. Root anchored England's second innings and established a crucial partnership with Harry Brook. Together, they shared a 195-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Root reached his century with a double in the 60th over, bowled by Akash Deep. He achieved his hundred off 137 balls, hitting 12 fours. What particularly caught the eye and earned appreciation from England fans was his tribute after reaching the century. Root kissed the badge on his helmet, raised his bat to acknowledge the crowd's applause, then donned the 'Graham Thorpe headband' and pointed skyward. Watch: Thorpe was a premier batsman for England in both red-ball and white-ball cricket from the mid-90s until 2005 when he retired. He served as the batting coach for the England Test team until he was dismissed, along with other support staff, following England's 0-4 defeat in the Ashes series of 2021-22. Thorpe, aged 55, died by suicide by stepping in front of a train. His family publicly disclosed that he had been struggling with mental health issues to raise awareness. By paying tribute to Thorpe upon completing his century, Root has brought attention to the mental health issues increasingly affecting cricketers due to the demanding lifestyle and various formats of the modern-day game. The left-handed batsman, who spent his entire professional career in south London with Surrey, scored 6,744 Test runs at an average of 44.66 in 100 matches from 1993 to 2005. Thorpe later held various coaching positions, including a role as England's batting coach, where he worked with current players such as Test captain Ben Stokes and Root. This news piece may be triggering. If you or someone you know needs help, call any of these helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata) view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
