Durand Cup 2022: Odisha FC annihilate NorthEast United FC 6-0

Odisha FC began their Durand Cup campaign with a dominating win over NorthEast United FC. Odisha FC scored three goals in each half to set the tone with a 6-0 victory at Guwahati’s Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium.

Our youngsters gave it all! 💪#NEUFCOFC #DurandCup2022 #StrongerAsOne #TogetherWeAreInfinite pic.twitter.com/YjiIsvCuSx

— NorthEast United FC (@NEUtdFC) August 18, 2022

Subam Rabha’s rebuilt team had been directly impacted in the first half by the combination of Jerry, Nandhakumar Sekar, and Spanish midfielder Pedro Martin. Except for a handful of early raids by the Highlanders, Odisha was on the offensive from the start. The Highlanders’ damage might have been even higher if Nikhil Deka had not played well beneath the bar.

Three goals were scored in the first half by Jerry Mawihmingthanga (14, 38), Nandhakumar Sekar (26). Josep Gombau’s team put on what ultimately proved to be a clinical effort, producing a late sparkle in the second half to seal the thrashing. Gombau pulled out his substitutes, and all three scored. The three goals were scored by replacements Isak Vanlalruatfela (81), Diego Mauricio (88), and Thoiba Singh (90+1) in the second half.

Earlier, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma presided over the ceremonial start of the first-ever Durand Cup match in Assam.

The event also featured an armed forces band exhibition and a brilliant rendition of the tournament theme song by Papon and Rewben Mashangwa.

The event culminated with the playing of the FIFA theme song and the introduction of dignitaries to the players, as well as their photographs with the teams and Trophies.

⚽️ FULL-TIME ⚽️

We start our first-ever #DurandCup campaign with a huge win by half-a-dozen goals and a solid clean-sheet 💪

⚪️ NEUFC 0 – 6 OFC 🟣#OdishaFC #AmaTeamAmaGame #DurandCup2022 #NEUFCOFC pic.twitter.com/hntxNJDdh9

— Odisha FC (@OdishaFC) August 17, 2022

Jerry expressed his optimism that the team’s performance will carry over to the next game and the remainder of the season, and he had a message for Odisha FC supporters.

“It’s amazing to play with the fans after two years. It’s good to be back with them,” stated Jerry. “It was a good result for the first game.We hope to see the Kalinga Warriors support us from home and in the stadiums, we hope to do our best and give our best,” he added.

Odisha FC will meet Kerala Blasters FC on Tuesday, while the Highlanders will play Army Green FC on Sunday.