On the evening of August 23, 2025, at the iconic Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) in Kolkata, Northeast United FC (NEUFC) completed a resounding 6–1 demolition of debutants Diamond Harbour FC (DHFC) to retain the IndianOil Durand Cup, becoming the first team in 25 years to defend Asia’s oldest football trophy.
Amid scorching Kolkata heat, a passionate crowd of 16,920 watched NEUFC assert dominance through attacking flair, tactical maturity, and collective brilliance. Moroccan forward Alaaeddine Ajaraie, awarded Man of the Match, exemplified this, while the journey of DHFC captivated the tournament’s spirit of fresh narratives and regional hope.
As Indian football holds its breath for revival, this dual storyline, i.e., the champions’ consolidation and the underdogs’ rise, offers a compelling snapshot of the sport’s shifting tides. And with the national team hitting the ground running in the CAFA Nations Cup 2025, Indian football’s pulse seems to be quickening.
Established in 1888, the Durand Cup is Asia’s oldest football tournament, founded by the British-era Durand Football Tournament Society. Over more than a century, it has evolved from an army-centric competition to a national stage encompassing Indian Super League (ISL) teams, I-League clubs, armed forces squads, state associations, and foreign invitees. The 134th edition of 2025 was hosted across five cities: Kolkata, Shillong, Jamshedpur, Imphal, and Kokrajhar, comprising 24 teams and delivering 147 goals across 43 matches.
NEUFC’s defense of the title recalls East Bengal’s hat-trick run in 1989–1991, making this feat both rare and symbolic. For NEUFC, their journey from ISL also-rans to Durand royalty underscores a strategic shift under coach Juan Pedro Benali, a period of transformation that began with their first-ever Durand title in 2024 and continued through ISL playoff qualifications and Super Cup campaigns.
Meanwhile, Diamond Harbour FC, a relative newcomer, captured hearts with a Cinderella run that disrupted traditional hierarchies of Indian club football, a testament to the Durand’s unique ability to spotlight rising voices in a crowded ecosystem.
Road to the Final
Northeast United FC: Metronomic Mastery
NEUFC’s campaign reflected coherence, ambition, and execution:
- Group Stage (Group E): They topped their group undefeated, with key victories over armed forces sides and Shillong Lajong, laying a foundation of authority.
- Quarter-final: Overwhelming Bodoland FC 4–0, signaling their intent early in the knockout rounds.
- Semi-final: In a poised display, Redeem Tlang’s majestic long-range strike secured a narrow win over Shillong Lajong, confirming NEUFC’s place in the final and showcasing their mettle under duress.
With Ajaraie, Parthib Gogoi, Emil Benny, Mirshad Michu, and others peaking at crucial junctures, NEUFC built momentum that carried them into the final as a unit in full ascendancy.
Diamond Harbour FC: From Debut to Final Dream
Diamond Harbour’s story was the tournament’s biggest surprise:
- Group Stage (Group B): As runners-up behind Mohun Bagan SG, DHFC advanced through consistency and grit.
- Quarter-final: A stunning 2–0 victory over Jamshedpur FC, taken by a team with less than half the pedigree.
- Semi-final: A clever, gritty 2–1 win over East Bengal FC sent shockwaves through Kolkata and validated their finals berth.
Their road reflected a blend of tactical discipline, defensive resilience, and opportunism that earned them national acclaim and a place in Indian football’s evolving narrative.
Tactical Analysis
NEUFC embodied a balance between structure and flair harmonized:
- Spatial Control: Possession-friendly yet incisive. NEUFC’s build-up was measured, waiting to strike through velocity, combinations, or Ajaraie’s predatory instincts.
- Flank Firepower: With Emil Benny weaving through midfield and Ajaraie finding pockets in the box, NEUFC systematically dismantled defenses.
- Game Management: Quarter-final thumping translated into semi-final composure, showing adaptability against compact threats.
DHFC, by contrast, relied on a classic underdog blueprint:
- Multi-layered compactness: Refusing to be bullied, they defended labyrinthine blocks, turning pressure into counter threats.
- Set-Piece Duels: Their semifinals win came with disciplined marking and execution from dead-ball situations.
- Psychological Momentum: Every upset over Jamshedpur and East Bengal built belief that served them until the final.
In the final, though, the gulf in depth, cohesion, and attacking variety became too vast and NEUFC’s structure unmoored DHFC’s resilience.
Key Statistics
| Category | Awardees |
| Top Scorer | Alaaeddine Ajaraie (NEUFC) |
| Top Assists | Sahal Abdul Samad (MBSG) |
| Clean Sheets | Amrit Gope (JFC) |
| Golden Glove | Gurmeet Singh (NEUFC) |
| Golden Ball | Alaaeddine Ajaraie (NEUFC) |
| Golden Boot | Alaaeddine Ajaraie (NEUFC) |
| Tournament Goals | 147 |
NEUFC recorded six different scorers in the final, underscoring their attacking depth and collective strength. Ajaraie’s combination of scoring and creating made him the standout performer.
Awards & Prize Money
Awards for the 2025 Durand Cup included:
- Champions (NEUFC): INR 1.21 crore
- Runners-up (DHFC): INR 60 lakh
- Golden Boot (Ajaraie): INR 3 lakh
- Golden Ball (Ajaraie): INR 3 lakh
- Golden Glove (Gurmeet): INR 3 lakh
- Quarterfinalists: INR 15 lakh
- Semifinalists: INR 25 lakh
These figures align with the tournament’s formal structure and reflect both team success and individual excellence.
Fan Culture & Atmosphere
- Final Night, Salt Lake Roar: With 16,920 spectators, chants, drums, and regional colors filled VYBK. NEUFC’s faithful paired with local football connoisseurs made it an electric evening.
- Regional Grounds Alive: Matches in Shillong, Jamshedpur, Imphal, and Kokrajhar drew fervent local followings, underlining Durand’s connection to communities beyond metropolitan centers.
- Military Flair: With armed forces teams participating, stadiums echoed with military band echoes, ceremonial tones, and institutional pride.
- Media Reach: Broadcasters like Sony Sports Network and Jio TV brought matches to fans across the country, reinforcing the Cup’s visibility.
- Hope Amid Struggle: Many commentators, like the Times of India, described NEUFC’s win as a “glimmer of hope in troubled times” for Indian football, amplifying emotional resonance.
Future of the Indian Football
Simultaneously, Indian football’s international prospects are stirring. Under new head coach Khalid Jamil, the national senior team began their CAFA Nations Cup 2025 campaign with a notable 2–1 away win over Tajikistan. Goals from defenders Anwar Ali and Sandesh Jhingan gave India an early lead, while Gurpreet Singh Sandhu delivered a crucial penalty save, traits of a compact, disciplined unit.
This victory not only defied expectations, Tajikistan being higher ranked, but also marked the following:
- India’s first competitive win since November 2023,
- First victory under Jamil’s leadership,
- Return of defensive organization and resilience.
It set a confident tone for the national side heading into group-stage matches against Iran and Afghanistan, suggesting an era of stabilizing performance on the international front.
From Legacy to Momentum: 134th Durand Cup 2025 Overview
The 134th Durand Cup is far more than a tournament; it’s a narrative canvas. Here, Northeast United FC’s back-to-back title defense reflects strategic evolution, team unity, and regional resurgence. Diamond Harbour FC’s unlikely ascent speaks to new voices, ambition, and the widening landscape of Indian club football.
Parallelly, the national team’s composed start under Khalid Jamil signifies institutional maturity, defensive solidity, and fresh belief at the international level.
From the Salt Lake Stadium’s cauldron to the dusty plains of Central Asia, India’s football ecosystem hums with potential. The 2025 season may yet be remembered not only for trophies, but for renewal of heritage, of hope, and of a trajectory pointing upwards.
Vibhor Gautam