Shillong, Aug 17: Alaaeddine Ajaraie scored a second-half hat-trick to power NorthEast United FC to a 5-2 win over Shillong Lajong FC and a fourth straight Durand Cup semi-final berth on Monday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
The Highlanders trailed 2-1 at half-time in heavy rain. Shillong’s Figo Syndai and Jota had turned Ajaraie’s 11th-minute opener on its head.
NorthEast came out transformed after the break. Etyan Jesus Gonzalez Morales equalised in the 55th minute before Ajaraie struck twice in four minutes — in the 58th and 69th — to complete his treble and put the tie beyond Lajong. Jithin M.S. added a fifth in the 79th to seal it.
The result sets the semi-final lineup for the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup: Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Sporting Club Delhi, East Bengal FC and NorthEast United FC.
