NorthEast United FC had an impressive turnaround in the Indian Super League (ISL) last season, but they narrowly missed out on a playoff spot. Under the guidance of Juan Pedro Benali, the Highlanders strengthened their squad in all areas. They kicked off the campaign with a bang, securing their first piece of silverware, the Durand Cup.

Building on their triumph in the Durand Cup, the Highlanders carried that momentum into the ISL, growing stronger as the season progressed. With a fourth-place finish in the league, tied on 38 points with Bengaluru FC and Jamshedpur FC, they secured a spot in the playoffs after a three-season absence. Benali’s side entered the playoffs with high hopes, but those were dashed after a surprising 2-0 home defeat to Jamshedpur FC in the knockout match.

Under Benali, NorthEast United FC now look like a finely-tuned machine, with standout performances from players like Alaaeddine Ajaraie, Nestor Albiach, and Mohammed Ali Bemammer. The Highlanders still have the Kalinga Super Cup to play for, where they’ll be eager to add more silverware to their collection, put the playoff disappointment behind them, and aim for a shot at continental football.

Record

Pl: 24; W: 10; L: 6; D: 8; Pts: 38; GF: 46; GA: 29

Positives

NorthEast United FC's attacking front, spearheaded by Ajaraie, was undoubtedly their brightest asset this season. The Highlanders netted an impressive 46 goals in the league, just one short of League Shield winners Mohun Bagan Super Giant. While their attack shone, their defence was equally commendable.

Read: Alaaeddine Ajaraie, the genie of the Highlanders

Under Benali, they conceded only 29 goals, the fourth-lowest in the league. This balanced approach between attack and defence was a key factor in their successful season, and fans will be hopeful that this continues in the upcoming seasons under Benali’s guidance.

Negatives

While their campaign had few negatives, one area of concern was their reliance on Ajaraie for goal contributions. At times, the team struggled when Ajaraie was kept quiet. There were moments when the Highlanders went through a series of draws, including two goalless stalemates, where opponents successfully neutralised Ajaraie and stifled the attack.

This issue was evident in the knockout fixture as well, where Khalid Jamil’s side's resolute defence managed to contain Ajaraie’s threat, leaving NorthEast United FC unable to break through. Going forward, the team will need to find more match-winners to step up in situations where Ajaraie can't find the back of the net, ensuring they don’t become too reliant on one player.

Best player: Alaaeddine Ajaraie

It’s a no-brainer. Alaaeddine Ajaraie had a dream debut season in the ISL with NorthEast United FC. The Moroccan forward scored 23 goals and provided seven assists, including braces in seven matches and goals in eight consecutive opening games. His heroics earned him both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball accolades, propelling him and the team among the elite in the league.

Best young player: Macarton Nickson

The 21-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough season with the Highlanders. Nickson is one of the players who truly thrived under the Spanish head coach. He accumulated 734 minutes last season, mainly in the latter half of the campaign. After a solid pre-season, he gained the trust of the coach and secured his place in the starting XI this season. Known for his discipline and work rate, Nickson stood out on the field. He scored a couple of goals and provided an assist in his 21 league appearances this season, with his performances earning him his first national team call-up for the recent Asian Cup qualification match against Bangladesh.

What do they need next season?

NorthEast United FC have extended Benali’s contract for two more years, and the growth under his leadership has been remarkable compared to where the team was just two seasons ago. They’ve successfully built a strong core, and the results are starting to show. Moving forward, the focus will be on building upon this foundation. The team is likely to add more attacking options to relieve some of the pressure on Ajaraie and bolster their squad depth with reinforcements in key areas.