Durand Cup: NorthEast United FC seal semifinal spot with comeback win…

Shillong (Meghalaya) [India], August 18 (ANI): Alaaeddine Ajaraie orchestrated a breathtaking second-half comeback with a sensational hat-trick as NorthEast United FC defeated Shillong Lajong FC 5-2 in a high-stakes Northeastern derby at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

On Monday, after trailing 2-1 at the break in torrential rain, the Highlanders turned the quarter-final clash on its head with four second-half goals, booking their spot in the Durand Cup semi-finals, as per a press release.

With this emphatic result, all four semi-finalists for the Durand Cup have been officially confirmed: Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Sporting Club Delhi, East Bengal FC, and NorthEast United FC. likesport.biz

Setting up for the crucial quarter-final, both sides adopted an attacking 4-3-3 formation. Shillong Lajong FC head coach named Ranit Sarkar in goal, with Kitboklang Khyriem, Arthur Tio, Joedson Dos Santos and captain Kenstar Kharshong forming the back four. Lamlallian S. T., Gladdy Nelson Kharbuli and Damaitphang Lyngdoh marshalled the midfield, while Joao Vitor De Paula Morais (Jota), Figo Syndai and Nelson Rymbai led the attack.

NorthEast United FC head coach Juan Pedro Benali also opted for a 4-3-3 setup, with Gurmeet Singh in goal behind a defence comprising Abdul Rabeeh, Eneko Satrustegui, Asheer Akhtar and captain Redeem Tlang. Macarton Louis Nickson, Antonio Moyano and Muthu Irulandi Mayakkannan formed the midfield trio, while Jithin M.S., Alaaeddine Ajaraie and Etyan Jesus Gonzalez Morales spearheaded the attack.

The match began under difficult conditions as heavy rain left the pitch slick and challenging. The surface made its impact almost immediately when Shillong captain Kenstar Kharshong slipped awkwardly in the opening exchanges, although he was able to continue after receiving treatment.

NorthEast adapted more quickly to the conditions and created the first meaningful chance in the seventh minute when Eneko Satrustegui headed narrowly wide from an Antonio Moyano corner.

The Highlanders made their early dominance count in the 11th minute through a moment of individual brilliance from Alaaeddine Ajaraie. Latching onto a perfectly weighted long ball from Redeem Tlang, the Moroccan forward produced an outstanding piece of skill, taking the ball past an approaching defender before calmly slotting home to give NorthEast a 1-0 lead and draw level with Rodriguinho in the tournament’s scoring charts.

Shillong Lajong responded positively and, despite NorthEast controlling much of the early proceedings, found an equaliser in the 20th minute. Figo Syndai exploited space in the final third and finished clinically to bring the hosts level, sparking celebrations among the home supporters at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

The contest quickly developed into an end-to-end affair. NorthEast nearly regained the lead in the 27th minute following a swift counter-attack, but Jithin M.S. fired narrowly wide.

Shillong’s confidence continued to grow despite the worsening weather, and they completed the turnaround in the 34th minute. Jota led a textbook counter-attack, racing clear of the NorthEast defence before rounding Gurmeet Singh and finishing confidently to put the hosts 2-1 ahead.

NorthEast struggled to regain their rhythm before the interval, with Jithin’s tame effort comfortably gathered by Ranit Sarkar. Shillong entered half-time with the advantage after edging the first-half shot count.

The rain eased after the restart, and Shillong introduced Phrangki Buam in place of goalscorer Jota. However, the second half belonged entirely to the Highlanders.

NorthEast restored parity in the 55th minute when Etyan Jesus Gonzalez Morales found the back of the net to make it 2-2.

Just three minutes later, Ajaraie struck again. The prolific Moroccan forward completed another clinical move to turn the game around and give NorthEast a 3-2 lead.

Shillong responded by increasing the pressure after the hour mark, earning successive corners and creating opportunities from close range. The intensity of the contest also rose, with Macarton Louis Nickson and Asheer Akhtar both entering the referee’s notebook.

Benali refreshed his side by introducing Parthib Sundar Gogoi and Nikola Ninkovic, and the changes helped NorthEast maintain their attacking momentum.

Ajaraie completed a memorable hat-trick in the 69th minute after being released by Jithin M.S. The Moroccan finished confidently to extend the Highlanders’ lead to 4-2 and all but secure their place in the semi-finals.

Shillong continued to push forward in search of a route back into the contest, but NorthEast defended resolutely. Benali also handed a debut to Pramveer, who replaced Asheer Akhtar.

The Highlanders added the finishing touch in the 79th minute when Jithin MS capped an outstanding performance by getting on the scoresheet himself, finishing off another flowing move to make it 5-2.

Further substitutions saw Robin Yadav and Lalrinzuala introduced as NorthEast comfortably managed the closing stages and the added time. At the final whistle, the Highlanders celebrated a remarkable comeback from 2-1 down to book their place in the semi-finals with an emphatic 5-2 victory. (ANI)

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)

Melbourne [Australia], August 18 (ANI): Former Australian cricketer Ian Chappell slammed selectors for their poor calls in the aftermath of the loss to Bangladesh at Darwin, calling for some big changes within the set-up.

While Jake Weatherald has been dropped from the second Test, there are still a lot of questions that the Aussie batting needs to answer during their second Test against Bangladesh at Mackay from August 22, where they would be playing to avoid an embarrassing series whitewash, having lost the first Test at Darwin by nine wickets.

Speaking to nine.com.au, Chappell said, “If you pick the wrong people in the first place, you can get into trouble."

“With their selections, they have shown to me that they do not understand things very well."

“To me, it is the selectors who’ve got themselves into this problem. Now they have got to try and find a way out. But I am not convinced that they’re good enough to find a way out," he continued.

Chappell also wants to recall young opener Sam Konstas, who was dropped after a disastrous West Indies tour last year, to return and partner Renshaw at the top, allowing Travis Head to return to his much-productive middle-order slot.

He also said that the selectors should not persist any longer with Marnus Labuschagne at number three; needing no more evidence of his struggles, they should urge Steve Smith to move up to the one-down spot.

Since his final Test ton against England during the Ashes tour to the UK in 2023, Marnus has been averaging 25.23 in Tests, having made just 959 runs across 42 innings, with only nine fifties to his name, with a best score of 90. Patches of brilliance have been there, but with a series against Bangladesh at stake, time seems to be running out for Australia’s premier number three.

Chappell also lambasted selectors’ decision of have all-rounder Beau Webster bat at number seven, despite his average of late 30s and 14 first-class centuries.

“He is there to make centuries, and you are batting him at seven. What is that? That is bulls**t," Chappell said.

While there is hype around Victoria’s rising stars Campbell Kellaway and Oliver Peake, Chappell does not feel they are ready for Tests. Kellaway, 23, averages 31.52 after 44 FC matches, while 19-year-old Peake averages 26 after 14 FC matches.

“I think Kellaway and Peake have got talent, but are they ready? I’m not too sure about that," Chappell said.

“If you look at their Shield record, averages in the 20s should not get you into an Australian side," he added.

He was also very scathing in his assessment of Nathan McSweeney, who had a rough Test outing against India in the 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, scoring just 72 runs in three Tests and making just 477 runs in 19 innings across 10 Sheffield Shield matches last season, with just a ton and two fifties.

“He’s not a Test player," Chappell signed off. (ANI)

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)

Manav Suthar played an important role in keeping the Sri Lankan batters under pressure. He also produced the highest percentage of deliveries with a large turn in the match so far. As many as 74% of his deliveries turned more than 4.5 degrees, the best among all the spinners. Suthar returned figures of 4/76 as India bowled Sri Lanka out for 284 after posting 462 in their first innings at the Galle International Stadium.

R Praggnanandhaa played out a draw against Fabiano Caruana in Round 7 of the Sinquefield Cup 2026 after a long and closely fought game.

Playing with the black pieces, Pragg had to deal with pressure from Caruana from the early stages. The queens were exchanged early, and the game slowly moved into an endgame where both players had to be very careful.

Caruana tried to create chances with his pawns and put pressure on Pragg. However, the Indian Grandmaster defended well and kept finding ways to stay in the game.

As the game went on, both players pushed their pawns and created threats on different sides of the board. Caruana came close to creating a winning position, but Pragg’s active play gave him enough counterplay to stay in control.

The game became particularly tense in the final stages, with both players running low on time. Pragg remained calm and managed to stop Caruana’s threats.

After 56 moves, neither player could find a way to win, and the game ended in a draw.

The half-point is a solid result for Pragg against the higher-rated Caruana.

Follow RevSportz For More Updates

The post Praggnanandhaa Draws Against Caruana in Round 7 of Sinquefield Cup 2026 appeared first on Sports News Portal | Revsportz.