Kolkata, August 23: NorthEast United FC successfully defended their crown with a commanding 6-1 victory over Diamond Harbour FC in the Durand Cup 2025 final at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) on Saturday.
The result marked the biggest margin of victory in a Durand Cup final since Independence, as the Highlanders became back-to-back champions in Asia’s oldest football tournament.
First-Half Control
NorthEast United began steadily before breaking the deadlock in the 30th minute through Asheer Akhtar, who pounced on a defensive lapse. Just before halftime, Parthib Gogoi doubled the lead with a curling strike into the top corner, giving the ISL side a comfortable 2-0 cushion at the break
Second-Half Dominance
The champions returned stronger after the restart. Thoi Singh made it 3-0 following good work from Alaaeddine Ajaraie, while Diamond Harbour briefly reduced the deficit through Luka Majcen in the 65th minute.
Any hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished as NorthEast ran riot in the closing stages. Jairo Samperio, Andres Rodriguez, and Ajaraie (penalty) all found the net to seal an emphatic 6-1 triumph.
Ajaraie Leads the Charge
Ajaraie, the Moroccan forward and tournament’s top scorer with 7 goals, capped his campaign with a goal and two assists in the final. The strike also marked his 40th career goal in Indian football, underlining his growing influence in the domestic scene.
Historic Win and Prize
The victory handed NorthEast United their second consecutive Durand Cup title and a record ₹1.21 crore prize purse, the highest in the tournament’s 137-year history.
Despite the heavy defeat, Diamond Harbour FC, competing in their maiden Durand Cup campaign, drew praise for their spirited run to the final, which included a memorable semifinal victory over East Bengal.
Durand Cup: Asia’s Oldest Football Tournament
The Durand Cup, first played in 1888, is the oldest football tournament in Asia and the third oldest in the world. Founded in Shimla by Sir Mortimer Durand, the then Foreign Secretary to India, the competition began as a football event for British troops and gradually opened its doors to Indian clubs.
After Independence in 1947, the Durand Cup became a symbol of prestige in Indian football, with legendary clubs like Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, Mohammedan Sporting, Dempo, and Army teams lifting the coveted trophy.
What makes the tournament unique is its three trophies awarded to the winner – the Durand Cup, the Shimla Trophy (donated in 1903), and the President’s Cup (added post-independence).
Revived in 2019 with support from the Indian Army and AIFF, the Durand Cup now features Indian Super League (ISL) and I-League clubs along with Armed Forces teams, reaffirming its status as one of India’s most prestigious football competitions.