NorthEast United bag all three points against Bodoland FC
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Bodoland FC – 0 NorthEast United FC – 2 (Jithin 49’ Ankith 90+3)
Kokrajhar, July 30th, 2024: Two second half goals by Jithin M.S and Ankith Padmanabhan ensured NorthEast United secure all three points in the opening match of Group E, in the on-going 133rd IndianOil Durand Cup, played here at the SAI Stadium.
All 43 matches of the 133rd IndianOil Durand Cup will be broadcast LIVE on the Sony Sports Network (Sony Ten2 HD) as well as livestreamed on the SonyLiv OTT platform
Bodoland FC Head Coach Khlain Prykhat Syiemjieh fielded a strong line up with Ghanaians Benjamin Techie, Joe Aidoo and Cameroon striker Zacharie Mbenda, leading the attack and another Ghanaian Frank Nana Kofi manning the defence.
NorthEast United Head Coach Juan Pedro Benali fielded his team in a 3-5-2 formation which included new signings Mayakannan Muthu, Guillermo Fernandez Hierro and U-23 Moroccan international Hamza Regragui.
The first half was evenly poised with both teams showing some intent while attacking, but it was NorthEast who had the better chances.
The attacking trio of Nestor Albiach, Jithin M.S and Parthib Gogoi, showed good creativity down the middle and through the wings, especially Nestor who also looked dangerous with his set pieces. Zacharie Mbenda got the first opportunity to score in the game, but could not bend the ball enough, to find the net for the home side.
On the other end, The Highlanders did score twice but the goals were chalked off for a handball inside the box and the second one for offside. Jithin M.S forced a good save out of Bodoland goalkeeper Birkhang Daimary who pushed the forward’s shot to the woodwork to keep the scores level. Soon, Parthib Gogoi hit the crossbar from an effort inside the box. The Highlanders kept on pushing for the opening goal but the local side stood their ground to keep the attackers on bay as both teams went into the lemon break with the scores level.
NorthEast United came off the blocks firing on all cylinders and scored within four minutes of the restart. Jithin M.S received the ball on the left wing and side stepped his marker to finish expertly past the on rushing keeper. NorthEast controlled the match thereafter as Bodoland’s attack fizzed out giving the ISL side complete control.
Bodoland did create a couple of chances and came close to equalising but Mitinga Dwimary’s effort went wide, underlining their performance in the match in which the home side had 15 attempts on goal but just one of them on target.
NorthEast put the match in the bag in injury time through a flowing counter attack. Phalguni Singh received a through ball in the left wing and the forward found Ankith Padmanabhan inside the box, who chipped the onrushing keeper smartly to give all three points to the Highlanders and the bragging rights in the all Assam derby.
Double Header Tomorrow
Chennaiyin FC will start their 133rd IndianOil Durand Cup campaign against Indian Army Football Team in a Group D encounter tomorrow at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur. The match will kick-off at 4 PM. Chennaiyin FC will be fielding a young side while last edition’s quarter-finalists Indian Army will look to emulate their performance and go one better.
In the second match of the day, former champions Bengaluru FC will face Indian Navy Football in a Group B encounter at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata, with the match scheduled to kick-off at 7 PM.
ABOUT DURAND CUP
A symbol of India’s football history and culture, the Durand Cup is Asia’s oldest and the world’s third oldest football tournament. Organised by the Indian Army on behalf of the three Services, the Durand Cup has been the breeding ground for India’s best footballing talent, over the years.
The inaugural edition happened in Shimla in 1888 and then the tournament moved to New Delhi in 1940, where it was held till 2016. In 2019, the tournament came under the aegis of the Eastern Command and moved to the eastern part of the country, with Kolkata, the Mecca of Indian football and the Eastern Command Headquarters, being the home base. What makes the Durand Cup even more unique is that the winners get three trophies, two rotating (Durand Cup and Shimla Trophy) and one for permanent keep (President’s Cup).
As we embark on this exciting journey over the coming weeks, let us celebrate the beautiful game of football, honour the traditions of the Durand Cup, and look forward to witnessing moments of brilliance that will be etched in our memories forever.
