Published on Aug 16:
GUWAHATI: NorthEast United FC will take on Shillong Lajong FC in the fourth quarter-final of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup in Shillong on Monday. The match will kick off at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium from 7:00 PM. .
NorthEast United come into the knockout stage with a perfect record. The Highlanders won all three of their Group F matches, collecting nine points while scoring 13 goals and conceding just two. Their campaign has been built on attacking fluency and squad depth, with head coach Juan Pedro Benali able to rotate his team without disrupting the results.
Lajong were equally convincing in Group E, finishing top with seven points from three matches. Wins over Nongkseh SS&CC and Mumbay FC put them in control of the group before a dramatic 3-3 draw against Langsning FC confirmed their place in the quarter-finals.
There is also history between both sides to consider. NorthEast United have won all four of their previous Durand Cup meetings with Lajong, including a 2-1 victory in last year's group stage and a 1-0 win in the semi-final.
Alaaeddine Ajaraie enters the quarter-final as of the Durand Cup's leading scorer with six goals. The Moroccan forward began the tournament with a hat-trick against Bodoland FC, followed it with a brace against Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC and found the net again against FC1.
Behind him is an attack with plenty of local familiarity and firepower. Parthib Gogoi, Jithin MS, Lalrinzuala and the Icon of the city of Shillong, Redeem Tlang give Benali multiple options in the final third, while Antonio Moyano brings control and creativity from midfield. Tondonba Singh, Asheer and Eneko provide experience at the back, with the depth of the squad allowing Benali to manage minutes and still maintain momentum..