NorthEast United FC defeated Diamond Harbour 6-1 in the final to successfully defend their Durand Cup title at the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Saturday. In addition to winning back-to-back championships, NEUFC made history by being the first side to retain the Durand Cup in 34 years.
The Highlanders dominated the final from beginning to end, making it a one-sided match. NorthEast United gave their opponents little chance to rally during the game thanks to their accurate finishing and total midfield dominance.
Since the Durand Cup is one of the oldest and most prominent football competitions in Asia, the victory meant more to the players and supporters. With two straight championships, NEUFC cemented their place among Indian football’s titans.
Early on in the match, NorthEast United made their intentions clear. Asheer gave his team a well-earned lead in the 30th minute by opening the goal. To put NEUFC well in charge, Parthib doubled the lead in stoppage time (45+1′) just before the halftime whistle.
Tondonba scored in the 50th minute to increase the margin to 3-0 after the interval. Despite their best efforts, Diamond Harbour was only able to muster a consolation goal through Majcen in the 68th minute, bringing the score to 3-1.
NorthEast United once again took control of the game in the final minutes, thus Diamond Harbour’s happiness was short-lived. Ajaraie (90+3′ pen), Andy (85′), and Samperio (81′) all scored to complete the crushing 6-1 victory.
After winning their second championship, NEUFC will take home a record Rs 1.21 crore, the largest winner’s prize in the 137-year history of Asia’s oldest football competition.
The DCOC announced earlier this year that the prize money would grow by 250%, bringing the pool up to a tournament record of Rs 3 crore this season from Rs 1.2 crore in the previous edition.
Prize distribution highlights:
Champions – Rs 1.21 crore (40% of pool) Runners-up – Rs 60 lakh (20%) Losing Semi-finalists – Rs 25 lakh each (8.3%) Losing Quarter-finalists – Rs 15 lakh each (5%)
NorthEast United FC has now won the Durand Cup twice in a row, capping an incredible run for the team in Indian football. Since 1990 was the last team to win the trophy, NEUFC’s accomplishment is all the more remarkable.
