Star Watch: “Scoring Feels Great, Winning Feels Better,”- Alaaeddine Ajaraie

NorthEast United FC began their title defence in emphatic fashion at the 134th edition of the Durand Cup, as Moroccan forward Alaaeddine Ajaraie scored a clinical hat-trick to steer the defending champions to a 3–1 win over Malaysian Armed Forces FT in their Group E opener at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

Ajaraie, who was last season’s Indian Super League (ISL) top scorer with 23 goals in 25 games, picked up right where he left off, scoring in the 23rd, 29th, and 70th minutes to give the Highlanders full control of the contest.

Mohammad Amir pulled one back for the Malaysian side in the 88th minute, but by then, NorthEast had already stamped their authority on the game.

“It always feels great to score, and a hat-trick makes it even more special,” Ajaraie said after the match. “But more than anything, I’m happy I could help the team start the season with a win. That’s what matters the most.”

The win extends NorthEast United’s unbeaten run in the Durand Cup to eight matches, dating back to the start of their victorious 2024 campaign. Ajaraie’s hat-trick is his second in a NorthEast shirt and makes him one of only a few foreign players to score a Durand Cup hat-trick in consecutive seasons.

The defending champions started on the back foot, with Malaysian Armed Forces FT pressing high and creating early chances. However, the game turned decisively in the 23rd minute when Ajaraie latched onto a precise through ball from Andy Rodriguez and slotted home the opening goal of the tournament.

“That first goal, for me, was special,” Ajaraie noted. “It was our opening goal of the season, and Andy gave me a perfect pass. Scoring that set the tone for the rest of the game.”

Six minutes later, the Moroccan forward doubled the lead with a composed finish from a tight angle, capitalising on a defensive lapse. The goal visibly shifted the momentum, with NorthEast growing in confidence and asserting control over the midfield.

“It was a tough game, but after the second goal, I felt the momentum shifted,” Ajaraie said. “We grew in confidence from that point. Of course, there are things we can improve, but for a first game of the season, it was a solid performance and a good base to build on.”

Ajaraie completed his hat-trick in the 70th minute with a powerful strike from outside the box, effectively sealing the result. Despite a late consolation goal from the Malaysian side, NorthEast United’s dominance remained unchallenged.

Ajaraie’s form has been nothing short of remarkable. Including his performance in this match, he now has 25 goal contributions (20 goals, 5 assists) in his last 25 appearances for NorthEast United across all competitions. His 17 goals in the 2024 ISL season led the scoring charts, and he played a key role in helping NorthEast finish in the top four for the first time in five seasons.

In the 2024 Durand Cup, Ajaraie had scored twice during the knockout stages, including a crucial goal in the semi-final. This year, he looks poised to better that tally, and his early-season sharpness could prove pivotal for the Highlanders.