Durand Cup: Odisha FC thrash North East United 6-0 at Indira Gandhi Athletics Stadium

Our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: Odisha FC started their campaign in the 131st Durand Cup in style thrashing North East United FC 6-0 at the Indira Gandhi Athletics Stadium here today.

The damage had been done in the first-half for Subam Rabha's rebuilding side by the trio of Jerry, Nandhakumar Sekar and Spanish midfielder Pedro Martin primarily. The end just put an authoritative stamp on a story which had been written much before.

Good number of crowds turned up today to witness the first game of group 'D' in the city defying scorching heat. However the presence of local crowds didn't help at all to the local outfit as most of the time they were pushed to stay in their own territory by Odisha FC. Had it not been for the good game that Nikhil Deka had under the bar for the Highlanders, the damage could have been far greater.

Odisha were on the attack from the initial stage of the game. Jerry opened the scoring in the 14th minute, concluding with a fine finish to a well worked out team move. Eleven minutes later Nandhakumar made it 2-0. He showed a bit of trickery to take out two defenders before nailing a shot in the top corner. Jerry got his second a few minutes later and Odisha went into the lemon break with 3-0 lead.

Odisha came out comfortable in the second half with the natural inclination of asking NEUFC to make the play but their opponents were not in it today. Coach Josep Gombau brought out his substitutes and all three responded with goals showing the hunger in the team.

It was Isak first with a brilliant header off a Nandha corner and then Diego Muricio with a wonderful free-kick, before Thoiba Singh in the final minute of the game tapped the six to make it a day to forget for the Highlanders.

Earlier Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma led the ceremonial opening on the historic occasion of the first ever Durand Cup match in Assam. He was also introduced to the players. The ceremony also included Armed Forces bands display as well as a stellar performance of the tournament theme song by star singers Papon and Rewben Mashangwa.

In the next match in Guwahati Kerala Blasters will face Delhi Sudeva FC on Friday. The match will kick off at 6 PM.

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