The Highlanders were inspired by a sensational hat-trick from Alaaeddine Ajaraie, while Etyan Jesus Gonzalez Morales and Jithin M.S. also found the net as NorthEast United scored four times after the break to complete a remarkable turnaround and book their place in the semi-finals.

Heavy rain made conditions difficult from the outset, but NorthEast United adapted quickly and took the lead in the 11th minute. Ajaraie controlled a perfectly weighted long ball from Redeem Tlang, brilliantly worked his way past a defender and calmly finished to give the Highlanders an early advantage.

Shillong Lajong responded strongly and levelled the contest in the 20th minute. Figo Syndai found space in the final third before producing a composed finish to bring the home side back into the game.

The momentum then shifted towards the hosts. Jithin M.S. narrowly missed an opportunity for NorthEast before Shillong completed their comeback in the 34th minute. Jota led a rapid counter-attack, raced clear of the defence and rounded goalkeeper Gurmeet Singh before confidently slotting the ball into an empty net.

Shillong headed into half-time with a 2-1 advantage, having weathered NorthEast’s early pressure and made the most of their opportunities.

However, the second half belonged almost entirely to the Highlanders.

NorthEast restored parity in the 55th minute when Etyan Jesus Gonzalez Morales found the back of the net. Just three minutes later, Ajaraie struck again, clinically finishing another attacking move to put NorthEast United back in front at 3-2.

Shillong attempted to respond by throwing players forward and winning a series of corners, but NorthEast’s defence remained composed. The Highlanders also introduced fresh attacking options as Juan Pedro Benali looked to maintain the momentum.

Ajaraie then completed his hat-trick in the 69th minute, finishing confidently after being released by Jithin M.S. The goal took the Moroccan forward’s tally to six in the competition and put NorthEast firmly in control at 4-2.

With Shillong unable to find a way back into the contest, NorthEast continued to threaten on the counter. Their dominance was rewarded once again in the 79th minute when Jithin M.S. capped his impressive performance with a goal of his own to make it 5-2.

The Highlanders comfortably managed the closing stages despite further pressure from Shillong, securing one of the most emphatic victories of the knockout rounds.

The result completes the Durand Cup semi-final line-up. NorthEast United FC will join Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Sporting Club Delhi and East Bengal FC in the final four.

For Shillong Lajong, the defeat brings an end to an impressive campaign, while NorthEast United continue their pursuit of another Durand Cup title with Ajaraie and the rest of their attack firing on all cylinders.

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The Red Dragons started brightly and immediately put the Mumbay defence under pressure. Phrangki Buam and Jota constantly looked to exploit the flanks, while Lajong also threatened from set-pieces. Arthur Pangaro came close with a powerful header early on, before captain Kenstar Kharshong narrowly missed another opportunity from a similar situation.

Mumbay struggled to find any rhythm against Lajong’s aggressive pressing, with goalkeeper Yasheel Manish Shah keeping his side in the contest. He made important saves to deny Sana and Pangaro, while Lamlallian Vaiphei also tested him from distance.

However, the visitors’ resistance finally broke in the closing stages of the first half. After Mumbay captain Ahmed Faiz Khan was forced off with an ankle injury in the 45th minute, Lajong struck twice in quick succession. Joedson Dos Santos’ free-kick found Sana, whose header was saved by Yasheel, but Abhay Gurung reacted quickest to the rebound and opened the scoring.

Barely two minutes later, Tremiki Lamurong doubled the advantage. The midfielder received the ball inside the box, created space for himself and calmly slotted his finish beyond Yasheel to send Shillong into halftime with a 2-0 lead.

Lajong continued their dominance after the restart and added a third in the 52nd minute. Tremiki turned provider this time, splitting the Mumbay defence with a clever pass for Sana, who unleashed a powerful first-time finish into the top corner. The forward celebrated with his trademark Ronaldo-style celebration as the home crowd joined in with a loud “Siuuu”.

Mumbay attempted to respond, but their hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished. A heavy touch from Dhruvmil Pandya in the 64th minute presented Sana with another opportunity, and the forward made no mistake, driving into the box before finishing confidently to complete his brace and make it 4-0.

Despite the scoreline, Yasheel continued to make crucial saves to prevent the deficit from becoming even heavier. The Mumbay goalkeeper denied Kharshong and Joedson in the closing stages, keeping the visitors within touching distance of avoiding an even bigger defeat.

However, Shillong Lajong had the final say. In the 88th minute, substitute Manbhakupar Iawphniaw delivered a dangerous cross into the box, and after Mumbay failed to clear the danger, Figo Syndai rose to head home the fifth goal and complete a comprehensive victory.

The result sends Shillong Lajong FC to the top of Group E with six points from two matches, maintaining their perfect start to the competition. Langsning FC sit second with four points, while Nongkseh SS&CC have one point and Mumbay FC remain without a point from their opening two games.

For Lajong, the victory further strengthens their quarter-final ambitions. For Mumbay FC, the challenge now is to regroup quickly and find a way back into the competition after a difficult start.

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The match began with both teams evenly matched in midfield, with neither side able to dominate the early exchanges. Shillong Lajong tried to build their attacks through short passing combinations while occasionally looking for Everbrightson Sana with longer balls forward. Real Kashmir, meanwhile, relied on their physical presence and looked to capitalise on second balls from long passes.

The visitors eventually broke the deadlock when Shedrack Charles powered forward and delivered a low cross across the six-yard box. Seijoseph Haokip was perfectly positioned to finish the move and give Real Kashmir the lead.

Shillong Lajong responded positively and gradually began to build momentum in attack. Their equaliser arrived six minutes before half-time when Phrangki Buam produced a stunning strike from the edge of the box, sending the ball flying into the net beyond the reach of the goalkeeper.

Real Kashmir started the second half strongly and had two excellent opportunities to regain the lead. Captain Mohammad Inam came close on both occasions but failed to convert, first heading wide from a promising position and later missing another clear chance inside the box.

The missed opportunities proved costly as Shillong Lajong turned the game around in the 57th minute. After a spell of sustained possession, Abhay Gurung delivered a precise pass into the box for Kenstar Kharshong, who made a late run forward and calmly finished past the goalkeeper to give the hosts the lead.

Real Kashmir pushed forward in search of an equaliser and introduced fresh players to increase their attacking threat. However, Shillong Lajong defended with discipline and organisation, limiting the visitors’ chances.

The hosts also remained dangerous on the counter-attack, with Buam testing the goalkeeper once again before the defence comfortably dealt with a series of long balls into the box during the closing stages.

Shillong Lajong ultimately held their advantage until the final whistle, sealing a valuable 2-1 comeback victory and securing their first win of the season.

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Ozone FC continued their unbeaten run in the Under-16 Nike Premier cup after they breezed past Shillong Lajong FC in the first semi-final of the day.

After an even opening minutes, Ozone opened the scoring in the 20^th minute through a counter attack on the left, Ozone’s Ignatius John cross resulted in a goalmouth melee inside the box but after the Lajong keeper Akash Thapa managed to save the initial danger the ball once again fell back to the now unmarked Ignatius, who made no mistake in dispatching it to the net with the Goal Keeper off his position.

Eight minutes later, another cross from the right saw Lajong defender handling the ball inside the box conceding a silly penalty, Ozone’s Ajay converted the spot-kick by dispatching the ball to the top-left corner as the keeper judged the wrong way.

Soon Shillong Lajong pulled one back from an attack of their own from the right, Lajong winger ran past couple of defenders before taking a shot from the box which was deflected away by the Ozone keeper Niraj Kumar but only as far as another Lajong forward Parvaj who fired it into the goal to make it 1-2. Both the teams entered the break without troubling the score any further.

Also Read: Mohammed Salim – The first Indian Footballer to Play in Europe

The second half started with Lajong in more attacking mode looking for an equaliser However it was Ozone that found the next. In the 75^th minute, Ignatius John made it 3-1 after Manvir Singh’s initial shot from edged of the box was saved by Akash Thapa.

Nearing the end of the game, another attacking move from Ozone saw Lajong keeper Akash come off his line outside of his box to stop the ball in a one-on-one situation but his decision to jump against onrushing Ozone forward was deemed dangerous as Referee gave him his marching orders. Ozone converted the free-kick thanks to Manvir Singh’s amazing shot as making it 4-1 with just minutes to full time.

The match ended without any further change as Ten-man Shillong Lajong bowed out of the league

Ozone FC – Niraj Kumar(GK), Gurmeet Singh, Oinam Singh, Ajay Alex A, R.K. Chiranjan Singh, Manvir Singh, Umashankar (Kundom Singh 68’), Saurabh Meher (D Dhanush 85’), Rohmingthanga, Mohammed Rasheed, Ignatius John(T.H. Imran Khan 90’)

Bookings- None

Shillong Lajong FC- Akash Thapa(GK), Muhammad Ahmed, Habymmutshum Nongrum, Ramdinmawia Hnamte, Tomonbha lapang, Jeremy Laldinpuia(Bijay Pandey 84’), Samuel Lyngdoh Kynshi(Lallawmkima lallawmkima 90+2’), Baiaikara Swer, Donboklang Lyngdoh, Burnes Raj, Parvaj Bhuiya

Bookings- Yellow – Habymmutshum Nongrum(27’), Jeremy Laldinpuia(20’), Parvaj Bhuiya(85’)

Red – Akash Thapa(90+1)

Final Score: Ozone FC 4 (Ignatius John 20’, 75’, Manvir Singh 90+3’, Ajay Alex 20’) – 1 Shillong Lajong FC- (Parvaj Bhuiya 37’)

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