The result extended NorthEast United’s unbeaten run in the Durand Cup to 14 matches, with the defending champions yet to taste defeat in the competition since 2023. The Highlanders once again underlined their credentials as they continue their push towards the knockout stages.

NorthEast United started with an attacking approach and immediately put Karbi Anglong under pressure. Their dominance was rewarded in the seventh minute when they were awarded a penalty after Junior Onguene Nkengue brought down Ajaraie inside the box. The Moroccan forward stepped up and calmly sent goalkeeper Jaspreet Singh the wrong way to give his side an early lead.

Karbi Anglong, however, showed tremendous resilience and found an unexpected equaliser in the 28th minute. A misplaced pass from Soraisham Dinesh Singh handed possession to Nkengue, who made amends for his earlier error by keeping his composure and finishing from close range to make it 1-1.

The Highlanders continued to create opportunities before the break, with Ajaraie forcing an excellent save from a free-kick, but Karbi Anglong’s organised defensive approach ensured the teams went into halftime level.

NorthEast United made their intentions clear immediately after the restart. Head coach Juan Pedro Benali introduced Parthib Sunder Gogoi and Macarton Louis Nickson, and the changes had an instant impact. Just three minutes into the second half, Gogoi picked out Ajaraie inside the box, allowing the forward to produce a precise left-footed finish and restore the Highlanders’ lead.

Ajaraie continued to threaten in search of a hat-trick, while Karbi Anglong attempted to respond through counter-attacks. The hosts came close on occasions, but NorthEast gradually began to regain control of the contest.

The defending champions eventually put the result beyond doubt in the 83rd minute. Buanthanglun Samte delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, where Macarton rose highest and directed a powerful header beyond the goalkeeper to make it 3-1.

There was still time for one more moment of celebration. Spanish debutant Etyan Gonzalez Morales had already gone close to finding the net before finally getting his opportunity deep into stoppage time. Abdul Rabeeh produced a brilliant run down the left before delivering a low cross, and Etyan calmly finished from close range to score on his Indian football debut and complete the 4-1 victory.

The result strengthens NorthEast United’s position in Group F and keeps their impressive Durand Cup defence firmly on track. With Ajaraie continuing to lead the attack and Benali’s substitutes making a decisive impact, the Highlanders look increasingly well equipped to challenge for back-to-back Durand Cup titles.

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Both teams approached the contest with attacking intent, making for an entertaining start. FC1 created the first meaningful opportunity when Mousa Ahmed Qureshi unleashed a powerful long-range effort that forced Karbi Anglong goalkeeper Jaspreet Singh into an excellent save. At the other end, Joseph Mayowa Olaleye tested FC1’s defence with a strike from a difficult angle, but the effort failed to trouble goalkeeper Aftab Ashraf.

The opening exchanges remained evenly contested, with both sides looking to attack at every opportunity. Karbi Anglong’s left winger Lalpekhlua proved to be a constant threat down the flank, and his influence paid dividends midway through the first half. After FC1 failed to clear a corner, Lalpekhlua reacted quickly to send a dangerous low cross into the six-yard box, where Joseph Mayowa Olaleye arrived unmarked to tap home and give the Assam-based side a deserved lead.

FC1 responded positively after falling behind, enjoying greater control in midfield and using quick forward passes to exploit the spaces behind the Karbi Anglong defence. Their persistence was rewarded five minutes before the break when Farhan Fayaz delivered a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Hayat Bashir. The winger raced clear before squaring the ball across goal for Shakir Ahmad Sheikh, who arrived at the right moment to calmly slot home the equaliser and send the teams into halftime level at 1-1.

The visitors carried that momentum into the second half and completed the turnaround in the 53rd minute. This time, Shakir turned provider, floating an inviting cross into the penalty area where Hayat Bashir timed his run perfectly before powering a header beyond Jaspreet Singh to put FC1 in front for the first time in the contest.

The match took another dramatic turn just after the hour mark when FC1 were reduced to ten men. Defender Tetty Armando Yoko received a straight red card after an aerial challenge with Lalpekhlua, leaving the debutants to defend their slender advantage with a numerical disadvantage for the remainder of the match.

Karbi Anglong Morning Star pushed forward in search of an equaliser, committing more players into attack and attempting to make their extra man count. However, FC1 displayed tremendous discipline and resilience, defending as a unit and limiting the hosts to very few clear-cut opportunities during the closing stages.

Despite the late pressure, FC1 held firm to secure a memorable comeback victory on their Durand Cup debut. The result marks a historic first win for the club in the competition and provides the perfect foundation for their Group F campaign. For Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC, it was a disappointing outcome after taking the lead, but there were encouraging signs in their attacking display as they now turn their attention to their remaining group-stage fixtures.

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Coming into the fixture on the back of a strong win over NEROCA FC, MYJ looked to build momentum, but it was the home side who struck first. Despite MYJ controlling possession in the early stages, Karbi took the lead in the 15th minute through Rahul Kumar Paswan, who headed home from a corner.

MYJ goalkeeper Paramjeet Singh was kept busy throughout the first half and produced several key saves to keep the deficit at one, as the hosts carried a 1-0 lead into the break.

The second half saw Karbi extend their advantage early on. A foul inside the box led to a penalty in the 55th minute, which was converted by Lalsiem Chongloi to make it 2-0.

MYJ searched for a way back into the contest but were unable to convert their chances. Karbi continued to press and added a third in the 83rd minute through Kevisanyu, who rose to meet a cross and headed past the goalkeeper.

The forward struck again late in the game, finishing confidently in a one-on-one situation in the 89th minute to seal a comprehensive 4-0 victory for the hosts.

The result hands MYJ their second defeat of the season in their debut I-League 2 campaign. Attention now turns to their upcoming fixture against Sudeva Delhi FC on April 21, where they will look to bounce back.

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