A group of Assam Regiment -Soldiers broke into their famous marching number, «More than much,» On the sidelines of the Salt Lake Stadium field, which offers a melodic tribute to the champion of the 134th edition of the Durand Cup – Northeast United FC. The implementation brought the small band of Highlanders supporters who had come their side, even when the organizers prepared the victory in the middle of the ground. Only a few minutes earlier, the Guwahati-Bonzende 6-1 victory-based team had completed Kolkata debutant Diamond Harbor FC, putting the stage for a colorful ceremony for price distribution that felt like a déjà vu for the NORTHEAST United fans. After all, their side had retained the crown that he had won in the previous edition, when it defeated another Kolkata patient, Mohun Bagan Super Giant.
By deducting this performance, Noordoost-United corresponded to the distinction of East Bengal, which was the last team that defended the Durand Cup and lifted it three years in a row between 1989 and 1991. The fanfare around this year’s victory was strengthened by another historical performance: Nurtheast was the first team of the 13-year-old tournament erai-erai-erai-erai-erai-erai-time-in-the-exhability of the Tourishness of the Tourishness of the Tourishness of Tourishness 137-year-old tournament of the 137-year-old tournament of the 137-year-old tournament of the 137-year-old tournament of the 137-year tournament of the 137-year tournament of the 137-year tournament of the 137-year tournament of the 137-year tournament by such a commandant. The previous best had returned in 2001, when the now defeated Mahindra United Churchill Brothers defeated 5-0. For Noordoost -United, the triumph was wearing extra weight; It had taken over the franchise for almost ten years to win its first silverware at national level when it beat Mohun Bagan in penalties last year. This time it not only defended the title, but only did this in an emphatic style, which underlined the growth as a team. The joy was reflected in the owner’s reaction, Bollywood actor John Abraham, who celebrated every goal by congratulating the dignitaries in the VIP box before he came to the players after full time. On real celluloid -fashion he led the team to the stands to share the moment with fans, so that the party joy extended until late in the night.
Alaeddine Ajaraie illuminated the final and ended with four assists and a goal in a dazzling all -round display. | Photocredit: Durand Cup Media
Alaeddine Ajaraie illuminated the final and ended with four assists and a goal in a dazzling all -round display. | Photocredit: Durand Cup Media
If the celebrations have emphasized, the performance of the team in the tournament justified it. Northast United looked the best prepared side in the competition, sharper and fitter than most of his Indian Super League-Rivalen-Mohun Bagan SG, Emami East Bengal and Jamshedpur FC include the only fourteen days before the Durand had started. Much of the credit was with coach Juan Pedro Benali, who collected a balanced team of Indian and foreign players and brought a clear structure. The Highlanders went unbeaten through the tournament, the only stumbling was a 2-2 draw against I-League 2 Club Rangdajied United in the group stage. That match turned out to be a timely wake-up call, when the team regrunged and flowed through the quarterfinals and semi-finals before the final changed a one-sided affair. For Diamond Harbor FC, however, the tournament itself was a breakthrough. The Durand Cup debut made the I-League Division 2 champion many heads with its spicy run under the Spanish coach Kibu Vicuña. Placed in a tough group that included ISL Double winner Mohun Bagan SG, the three-year-old club still merged as one of the two best second-in-second place Shillong Lajong-Dankzij victories on Mohammedan Sporting and seven-time champion of border protection power. Locked with five teams on six points, the superior target difference of Diamond Harbor turned out to be decisive.
From there the fairy tale Momentum collected. In the quarterfinals, Diamond Harbor Jameshedpur FC 2-0 surprised before he eliminated East Bengal with 2-1 in the semi-final. That result was special weight, because East Bengal was tipped on a large scale to take the trophy after the Derby victory against Mohun Bagan in the quarters. For one side that was barely three years old, it was an achievement to reach the final by beating the established giants.
If Diamond Harbor had achieved an upset, the Durand Cup would have crowned another debutant champion, in the footsteps of Gokulam Kerala in 2019 and FC Goa in 2021. But Northast United had other ideas. The defending champion held on and gave a new meaning to his place in the annals of the oldest football tournament in Asia with a performance.
Roll of Honor:
Individual prices:
Golden Ball (player of the tournament): Alaeddine Ajaraie (Northeast United FC)
Golden Boot (highest goal scorer): Alaeddine Ajaraie (8 goals)
Golden Glove (best goalkeeper): Gurmeet Singh (Noordoost -Urited)
Team prizes:
Champion – Rs. 1.21 crore (40% pool)
Runner-up-rs. 60 Lakh (20%)
Semifinalists lose – RS. 25 lakh each (8.3%)
Quarter finalists lose rs. 15 lakh each (5%)
Individual prices – Golden Ball, Golden Boot and Golden Glove winners received RS. 3 lakh each, plus a brand new Mahindra XUV 3xo each.
Published on August 25, 2025
