Defending champion Northeast United FC rode on its Moroccan ahead Alaaeddine Ajaraie’s hat-trick to beat Malaysian Armed Forces 3-1 in a Group-E match and start its marketing campaign in fashion within the Durand Cup on the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Saturday.
Ajaraie first capitalised on a by way of ball after receiving it on prime of the field. Then he completed off a well-coordinated transfer to put NUFC 2-0 up on the break.
Following some missed probabilities, Ajaraie accomplished his hat-trick with an excellent diagonal shot.
Amir pulled one again for MAF, which suffered its second loss.
Tribhuvan Army FC and debutant 1 Ladakh FC performed out a 1-1 attract a hard-fought Group-C encounter on the JRD Tata Sports Complex Stadium in Jamshedpur.
Ladakh took the lead within the twenty third minute when Siju S. headed in a lovely in-swinging nook.
TAFC, following its loss to Jamshedpur FC, drew parity earlier than the half-time. Niranjan Dhami took a by way of ball off a swift counterattack to beat the goalkeeper and a defender.
The outcomes: Group C (Jamshedpur): Tribhuvan Army FC 1 (Niranjan 40) drew with 1 Ladakh FC (Siju 23); Group E (Shillong): Northeast United 3 (Ajaraie 23, 29, 70) bt Malaysian Armed Forces 1 (Amir 88).
