NorthEast United FC strengthened their Durand Cup title defence with a commanding 4-1 victory over Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC in a Group F clash at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on August 8, 2026. The defending champions produced a strong second-half performance to secure their second win of the campaign and extend their unbeaten run in the tournament to 14 matches.
NorthEast United FC Make Fast Start in Guwahati
The Highlanders began the match on the front foot under head coach Juan Pedro Benali, who opted for an attacking 4-2-4 formation. They dominated possession early and kept Karbi Anglong Morning Star pinned inside their own half.
The pressure paid off in the seventh minute. Junior Onguene Nkengue brought down Alaaeddine Ajaraie inside the penalty area, giving the hosts a penalty. Ajaraie calmly converted the spot-kick, sending goalkeeper Jaspreet Singh the wrong way and putting NorthEast United FC ahead.
The early goal gave the defending champions control, but Karbi Anglong refused to collapse. Their response arrived in the 28th minute when Nkengue made amends for the earlier error. He capitalised on a misplaced pass from NorthEast United defender Soraisham Dinesh Singh and finished from close range to level the match at 1-1.
Ajaraie Puts NorthEast United FC Back Ahead
The teams went into half-time level, despite NorthEast United creating several opportunities. Ajaraie came close from a free-kick, while Redeem Tlang also threatened the Karbi Anglong defence.
Benali responded at the break with two attacking substitutions, bringing on Parthib Sunder Gogoi and Macarton Louis Nickson. The changes immediately improved the Highlanders’ attacking threat.
Just three minutes after the restart, Gogoi found Ajaraie inside the box. The Moroccan forward produced a precise left-footed finish to restore NorthEast United’s lead.
The goal was Ajaraie’s fifth of the tournament and put him level at the top of the scoring charts at that stage. He almost completed his hat-trick soon afterwards, but his header from a corner narrowly missed the target.
Late Goals Complete the Win
Karbi Anglong continued to search for another equaliser, with Nkengue testing goalkeeper Dipesh Chauhan from distance. However, NorthEast United gradually regained control as the match entered its final stages.
The decisive third goal arrived in the 83rd minute. Buanthanglun Samte delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, and Macarton rose highest to head the ball past Jaspreet Singh.
NorthEast United then completed the scoring deep into stoppage time. Abdul Rabeeh made an excellent run down the left before sending a low cross into the area. Spanish debutant Etyan Jesus Gonzalez Morales finished from close range to score on his Indian football debut and make it 4-1.
Strong Position in the Durand Cup
The victory was significant for NorthEast United FC as it strengthened their position in Group F and boosted their hopes of reaching the knockout stages. It also extended their unbeaten Durand Cup streak to 14 matches, with the club having not lost in the competition since 2023.
The Highlanders went on to complete the group stage with three wins from three matches, including a 3-1 victory over FC1 on August 11. They subsequently reached the semi-finals, where their title defence ended against Mohun Bagan Super Giant after a penalty shootout on August 21.
The 4-1 result against Karbi Anglong Morning Star nevertheless stood out as one of NorthEast United’s strongest group-stage displays. Ajaraie’s goals, Benali’s effective substitutions and late strikes from Macarton and Etyan highlighted the depth of the defending champions.
For Karbi Anglong Morning Star, the match offered valuable experience against one of India’s leading club sides. Despite conceding four goals, they showed resilience after falling behind early and managed to remain level until half-time.
The Guwahati contest also underlined the growing importance of the Durand Cup for football in Northeast India. With clubs from Assam and Meghalaya competing on a major stage, the tournament continues to provide a significant platform for regional footballers and teams.
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