Kolkata witnessed a historic football spectacle as NorthEast United FC thrashed debutants Diamond Harbour FC 6-1 to retain the Durand Cup, becoming the first team in 34 years to defend the title. The one-sided final at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan showcased the Highlanders’ sheer dominance and clinical finishing.
Asheer Akhtar set the tone, capitalising on a defensive lapse to open the scoring. Parthib Gogoi doubled the lead with a sublime strike just before halftime, signalling the champions’ intent. The second half saw Thoi Singh make it 3-0 before Diamond Harbour briefly narrowed the deficit through a fortunate deflection. NorthEast United quickly regained momentum, with Jairo, Andy Rodríguez, and Alaaeddine Ajaraie, who scored via a late penalty, marking his 40th career goal in Indian football, completing the emphatic rout.
Ajaraie’s performance was instrumental. With one goal and three assists, he earned the Man of the Match accolade, reinforcing his status as one of the most impactful foreign signings in Indian football. “Ajaraie once again proved to be the game-changer,” said observers, noting his consistency throughout the tournament.
Also read: Diamond Harbour stun Jamshedpur to enter Durand Cup semis
The triumph also brought NorthEast United Rs 1.21 crore, the largest prize in the 137-year history of the tournament. More significantly, it ended a three-decade-long wait for a team to successfully defend the coveted trophy, matching East Bengal’s golden run from 1990-91.
NorthEast United’s current glory builds on a strong record in the Durand Cup. The club first lifted the title in 2019, defeating Gokulam Kerala FC in the final, and has been a regular contender in the tournament ever since. Their 2024 triumph marked the club’s second Durand Cup win, and now with the 2025 victory, they have become only the fourth team in Indian football history to win consecutive editions.
The Highlanders’ journey to glory reflected meticulous planning and consistent performance. Topping their group convincingly and defeating Bodoland FC and Shillong Lajong in the knockout stages, NorthEast United established themselves as the team to beat. Ajaraie’s early hat-trick in the group phase set the tone for a campaign that will be remembered for years.
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