The victory is a reflection of NEUFC's growing dominance in domestic football, highlighting their consistency, squad depth, and tactical discipline
Digital Desk: The NorthEast United FC have made history in Indian football history by clinching the Durand Cup 2025 for the second consecutive year, delivering a dominant 6-1 victory over debutants Diamond Harbour FC in the final on Saturday.
From the opening whistle, the Highlanders showed tactical superiority, clinical finishing skills and sheer hard work as they thrashed a spirited Diamond Harbour team, who had entered the tournament in the hope of becoming the first debutant team to win the oldest football trophy in the country. Regardless of their fairytale run until now, the newcomers were no match for Pedro Benali’s well-drilled unit.
This outstanding win, makes the NorthEast United to be the first team in 34 years to have won the Durand Cup consecutively. The common was East Bengal in 1991.
The win symbolizes the increased supremacy of NEUFC in the homemade football in terms of their consistency, depth in the team squad and discipline in their tactics. Coach Pedro Benali, shedding some obvious tears after the win said, (This feels) amazing, you can see it on my face. In Durand Cup we made history. These boys really merit all They have given a smile to our supporters and I would like us to continue doing that.”
A far cry compared to last year in the penalty shoot out encounter against Mohun Bagan, this final was a one-sided one. Diamond Harbour who defeated East Bengal in the semis found it struggled to match the pace and precision of the Highlanders under the floodlights.
Whilst NEUFC celebrate a historic first, Diamond Harbour FC can be proud of their original run to the final and the experience and respect that they have earned in their first season.
The 2025 final will be remembered as a celebration of Indian football, with NorthEast United FC firmly establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with.
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