Ajaraie brace powers NorthEast United to 4-1 rout of Kerala Blasters

Juan Pedro Benali started the season as the longest-serving coach of a single club in Indian Super League history.And the team chemistry that he has been building since 2023 was on display at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Sunday as NorthEast United FC put on a show for the home fans with a 4-1 win over Kerala Blasters, featuring a brace from Alaaeddine Ajaraie and contributions from across the pitch.While they played a defensive game for most of their opening fixture against Mohun Bagan Super Giant, the hosts began their second game with attacking intent, with Jithin MS and Ajaraie at the heart of their forward moves.But the breakthrough took 15 minutes to come for the hosts, in an immaculate show of understanding that has developed among Benali’s men. Eneko Satrustegui sent a long ball from beyond the halfway line towards the edge of the box and their talisman Ajaraie anticipated it perfectly, beating the advancing goalkeeper Arsh with his first touch before guiding the ball in with his second for the opener.Adrian Luna could have got the visitors an equaliser in the 38th minute, but he failed to connect with a cross from the left towards the far post.Soon after, in the 43rd minute, NEUFC were on the attack down the right flank and Jithin managed to escape the clutches of Blasters defender James Bolton in front of goal to guide a long ball with the back of his head towards the top corner. But young goalkeeper Arsh was up to the task, palming it away to safety.The pressure from NEUFC’s attackers finally led to a second goal in the fourth minute of injury time, courtesy of a defensive error from Sumeet, as Jithin won the ball inside the box and passed it to their Moroccan stalwart. Although Ajaraie’s shot was blocked by the Blasters defence, the rebound fell to Antony Moyano. The Spanish midfielder set himself up with his first touch before firing the ball into the far corner for the hosts’ second goal.The Blasters returned after the change of ends with more confidence and a change in tactics and personnel, and coach Ashley Westwood’s strategy paid off in the 60th minute.A perfect backheel from Luna set up Momo Yansane inside the box, and he kept his calm to slot home from an acute angle, between goalkeeper Gurmeet Singh and the right post, giving the Blasters belief that they still had 30 minutes to stage a turnaround.But Ajaraie, looking to take up his role as the ISL scoring machine, restored NEUFC’s two-goal lead 10 minutes later with a superb swerving finish into the far corner of the Blasters net, beyond the defender and goalkeeper.In a final blow to the visitors, substitute Aman CK, who had been on the field for less than 10 minutes, converted a NEUFC attack from the right in the 82nd minute to seal a convincing victory for the hosts.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.