Sports
NorthEast United beat Shillong Lajong 5-2 to reach Durand Cup semis
Trailing 2-1 at half-time in heavy rain, the defending champions scored four second-half goals in Shillong.
By Bhaskar Kalita ยท 17 August 2026
NorthEast United FC beat Shillong Lajong FC 5-2 in a Northeast derby to reach the semi-finals of the 135th Durand Cup. The quarter-final was played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Monday, 17 August 2026.
Shillong Lajong led 2-1 at half-time, with the first half played in heavy rain. Figo Syndai and Joao Vitor De Paula Morais scored for the home side. NorthEast United then took control after the break and scored four goals in the second half.
Ajaraie leads the way
Alaaeddine Ajaraie scored a hat-trick for NorthEast United, while Ethyan Gonzalez and Jithin M S also found the net. The defending champions have now reached the Durand Cup semi-finals for the fourth year in a row.
The result completed the semi-final line-up of Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Sporting Club Delhi, East Bengal FC and NorthEast United. In the other quarter-final, Mohun Bagan beat Jamshedpur FC 9-8 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Kolkata. NorthEast United were set to face Mohun Bagan in the second semi-final on 20 August.
Source: The Sentinel
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