Shillong, March 3: North East United FC qualified for the Indian Super League (ISL 2024-25) playoff for the third time in their history with a thumping 3-0 away victory over Chennaiyin FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai on Monday night.
In his pre-match press conference, NorthEast United FC’s assistant coach Naushad Moosa had expressed that the coaching staff could see in training how focused and hungry the players were to get the victory. Juan Pedro Bennali’s men emphatically displayed their determination to achieve the primary objective of the season – Qualifying for the ISL playoffs.
First-half goals by Nestor Albiach (7’), Jithin MS (26’) and Alaaeddine Ajaraie (38’) booked the Highlanders’ spot in the playoff for the first time in four years.
With 3-0 up at the break, the game effectively in the bag, the Highlanders ensured that there were no hiccups in the second half and earned their first-ever victory in Chennai.
Gurmeet Singh, who kept his seventh clean sheet of the season, was at his imperious best with clinical saves. Captain Michel Zabaco led the backline of Redeem Tlang, Dinesh Singh and Buanthanglun Samte was tenacious in their tackles and challenges to snuff out any Chennaiyin FC attack and were well-aided by the midfield duo of Mohammed Ali Bemammer and Mayakkannan.
With the convincing victory in Chennai sealing their playoff berth, the Highlanders will turn their attention to the last league game of the season against East Bengal in Shillong on March 8.
