NorthEast United FC reaching the Durand Cup 2024 final itself marked uncharted territory for the Indian Super League (ISL) side. Although they had previously advanced to the semi-finals in 2023, a trophy had always eluded them in the league and other tournaments.

However, in the Durand Cup final against Mohun Bagan Super Giant, the Highlanders seized their opportunity. Trailing by two goals, they mounted a remarkable comeback and ultimately triumphed over the defending champions in their own backyard, winning the match in a nail-biting penalty shootout.

This thrilling victory fulfilled a long-standing dream for the club since its inception, earning them their first major piece of silverware.

Not just the trophy, but the manner in which they achieved it will be remembered for a long time. The Highlanders have been one of the most competitive teams in the past couple of seasons, but there have been more rough patches than happy moments in their history. 

Finishing rock bottom in the league two years ago with just five points seemed like the most difficult situation for the club since its inception. However, with great determination, the club's management brought in Juan Pedro Benali as their head coach.

New head coach, new approach

Benali adopted a more pragmatic approach to winning games. The never-say-die attitude began to reflect in the players.

The Highlanders began their journey under Benali with last year's Durand Cup, where their dreams were halted in the semi-final by East Bengal FC after a penalty shootout. Undeterred, they carried their resilience into the ISL, only to narrowly miss the playoffs by a single point, finishing behind sixth-placed Chennaiyin FC.

The management saw the value in his approach and granted him a contract extension during the previous season. Even though the team missed the ISL playoffs by a narrow margin, Benali was committed to guiding them to triumph in the upcoming season.

“This season was about preparing the team, preparing the players, and getting to know the players. They know us, and the next season is all about winning — winning and winning from now on,” Benali said in an interview earlier in June.

Step by step

Fast forward to this season, NorthEast United FC, with the clear goal of competing against the country’s top teams, strengthened their side in the summer and brought in new players who aligned with the head coaches' mentality. The additions of foreign forwards such as Alaeddine Ajaraie and Guillermo Fernandez saw Benali’s side embrace an attacking philosophy from the outset of the Durand Cup.

The Spaniard was also pivotal in elevating the performances of Indian players like Jithin MS, Asheer Akhtar, and Dinesh Singh. Jithin, in particular, made a significant impact throughout the tournament, finishing with four goals, and three assists, and clinching the Golden Ball award.

Their campaign kicked off with a 2-0 win over Bodoland, followed by emphatic victories against BSF (4-0) and Odisha FC (5-1), advancing to the knockouts with a flawless record.

Defensively, NorthEast United FC were equally impressive, recording two clean sheets in the group stage and two more in the quarter-final and semi-final against Indian Army and Shillong Lajong FC, respectively, to secure their place in the Durand Cup final.

An iconic win

While some may have considered their path to the final straightforward, those doubts vanished when they faced a star-studded Mohun Bagan SG — a match where the odds were heavily against them.

The defending champions started strong, taking an early lead through Jason Cummings and extending it to 2-0 just before half-time.

Few believed NorthEast United FC could come back from this, but the Highlanders’ new attacking duo had other ideas.

Ajaraie found the net in the 55th minute, and Fernandez followed up with a moment of brilliance to bring NorthEast United FC level. They continued to pressure the MBSG defence but were unable to capitalise on their chances, leading to a penalty shootout—a scenario where the Mariners had previously excelled twice in the tournament. 

However, Gurmeet Singh and his teammates had a different script in mind, as the NorthEast United FC goalkeeper denied Liston Colaco and Subhasish Bose, while their teammates coolly converted all four of their penalties. 

"We remained calm and focused on our goal during the penalty kicks. With strong belief and self-confidence, I aimed to stay composed and stick to our strategy, which enabled me to save two shots,” Singh shared in an interview after the game.

The task was not easy for Gurmeet Singh, who faced Vishal Kaith, renowned for his penalty-saving expertise. Singh stepped up courageously for his team, and in addition to his crucial penalty saves, his three clean sheets earned him the Golden Glove award.

"Vishal Kaith is an excellent goalkeeper, and he was very confident. I also believed that I needed to give my all, and I did. I saved the penalty kicks, and we won. I am incredibly happy with the outcome,” stated Singh.

“John (Abraham) Sir came and motivated us, advising us to enjoy the game without feeling any pressure. We’re very pleased with the result and grateful for the blessings of the almighty,” added the goalkeeper.

Head coach Benali also praised club owner John Abraham for his steadfast support through numerous challenges and difficult times. His unwavering commitment and dedication have been instrumental in overcoming obstacles and elevating the club to its current status.

“Thank you for bringing me here. Thank you for making this fantastic team. Thank you for suffering. Thank you for crying. You know, he deserves it, he’s a gentleman who gives everything to the team, everything to the club,” Benali said in the post-match press conference.

This triumph could mark a new era for NorthEast United FC, as they now set their sights on the ISL. Having come close last season, their primary objective would be to secure a playoff spot as they begin their league campaign on September 16 against newly-promoted Mohammedan SC.

Related tags:

NorthEast United FC2023-2024 GurmeetJohn Abraham