Rahul Giri
NorthEast United FC successfully defended their Durand Cup crown, dismantling Diamond Harbour FC 6-1 at Salt Lake Stadium. Last year, the Highlanders had edged out Mohun Bagan in a dramatic penalty shootout to lift the first-ever trophy in their history. This time, the final lacked the same intensity, as Diamond Harbour failed to replicate the heroics that saw them knock East Bengal out in the semifinals.
Founded in 2020, Diamond Harbour have enjoyed a meteoric rise — from the CFL First Division to the I-League in just five years. Reaching the Durand Cup final is an achievement very few clubs can boast of in such a short span. However, Kibu Vicuña’s men could not deliver on the big day. To make matters more difficult, they were without the full services of their foreign contingent, fielding only Luka Majcen and Mike Cortazer, while NorthEast utilised their complete quota.
The match began brightly, with Alaaeddine Ajaraie nearly shocking Diamond Harbour inside three minutes. His long-range strike was parried by goalkeeper Mirshad Michu, playing against his former club. He also kept out Parthib Gogoi’s follow-up header. Diamond Harbour responded with chances of their own, as Jobby Justin’s header from a Girik Khosla cross was brilliantly saved by Gurmeet Singh. Jobby came close again, flashing a long-range effort into the side netting.
NorthEast eventually broke the deadlock through Asheer Akhtar. A corner from Andrés José Rodríguez caused chaos in the box, and after Mirshad saved two initial attempts, Akhtar capitalised on the rebound to slot home from close range. Minutes later, Mirshad once again kept his side alive, tipping away Gogoi’s curling attempt. But at the stroke of half-time, Gogoi redeemed himself with another curling strike — this time finding the top right corner to double the advantage.
Any hopes of a Diamond Harbour comeback were quickly extinguished in the second half. Thoi Singh pounced on a fine low cross from Alaaeddine to make it 3-0. Luka Majcen pulled one back after Jobby Justin’s header deflected off him into the net, but the fightback never materialised. NorthEast restored their three-goal cushion as Jairo Samperio converted from a Louis Macarton assist. Rodríguez then added a fifth, finishing off a precise delivery from Alaaeddine.
Fittingly, Alaaeddine — who had been outstanding throughout the game — capped his performance by getting on the scoresheet himself, calmly converting a penalty in additional time to seal a resounding 6-1 demolition.
As the Highlanders’ players celebrated on the pitch, club owner and Bollywood star John Abraham was seen jubilant in the VVIP box.
For Diamond Harbour, defeat in the final was disappointing, but their spirited run remains a milestone. As they prepare for their debut I-League campaign, the club can draw confidence from their courageous display in their maiden Durand Cup appearance.
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