In the ongoing Kalinga Super Cup, NorthEast United FC knocked out Mohammedan SC with a 6-0 scoreline at the Kalinga Stadium on Thursday, April 24. Alaaddine Ajaraie delivered a standout performance, contributing with a hat-trick and an assist. He just can’t seem to get over the Golden Boot he recently won in the ISL.
From the very first minute till the very end, the Highlanders kept scoring and finished with half a dozen goals. In the 3rd minute, a goal-bound attack saw Jithin MS find the net for NorthEast United. In the 19th minute, Alaaeddine doubled the lead with a quick counter-attack, just he made a turn to edge past his marker, went inside the box and sent the ball into the net.
In the 28th minute, they almost scored a third, Jithin MS sent a chipped ball from the right to Nestor inside the box, who took a shot, but Subhajit Bhattacharya saved it. However, just before halftime, in the 42nd minute, Guillermo made it three for the Highlanders. Mohammedan SC created nine shots in the first half, however, they failed to convert any into goals. They managed a few counter-attacks, but inside the box, they seemed a bit unrhythmic.
Just where NorthEast United FC had paused the game, they resumed in the second half. In the 57th minute, Guillermo sent a cross from the right into the box. Ashir Akhtar took a close-range shot, but it deflected off Samad Ali. The rebound fell to Alaaddine, who slotted it into the net.
In the 61st minute, Mohammedan SC launched a goal-bound opportunity. Robi Hansda made a run from the left, from left edge of the box he unleashed a shot that deflected off the crossbar. The rebound created a tense situation, but NorthEast United managed to clear it.
Within seven minutes, Guillermo made it 5-0 for NorthEast United FC. Mohammedan SC looked devastated as time went on. On the other side, Pedro Benali began substituting his key performers, except Alaaddine, and gave chances to fresh legs, as it had become clear by then which team was heading to the quarter-finals. In added time, in the 90+2nd minute, Alaaddine sealed the scoreline. He launched a counter-attack, edged past the Black and White Army’s defenders, but was stopped roughly inside the box, earning a penalty for NorthEast United, and convert into their sixth goal.
The team that will face NorthEast United FC in the quarter-final will be decided after the result of the next fixture between Jamshedpur FC and Hyderabad FC.
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