Guwahati, August 25: Actor, football enthusiast and NorthEast United FC owner John Abraham witnessed a historic night at Kolkata’s Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan as his team dismantled debutants Diamond Harbour FC 6-1 to successfully defend their Durand Cup crown.
With this emphatic win, NEUFC became the first team in more than three decades to retain the prestigious trophy. The last club to achieve the feat was East Bengal, who lifted the title in three successive years — 1989, 1990 and 1991 — during their golden era of Indian football.
“We are the first team to win the Durand Cup back-to-back since 1991, which is a great honour. It’s a huge achievement, and I’d like to believe we can make this a habit. The Durand Cup is very prestigious for us as Indians,” John said.
For John, who has personally invested time and passion in running the club, the victory was more than just silverware. “NorthEast United FC is a very resilient club. Times are tough, but we have held out. We proved we are here to stay. Our aim is to contribute meaningfully to Indian football, to produce stars who can shine globally, and to make India proud — starting from the Northeast,” he said.
The final saw goals from Asheer Akhtar, Thoi Singh, Parthib Gogoi, and Alaaeddine Ajaraie, showcasing the squad’s depth and teamwork. From the VIP gallery, John was seen celebrating every strike with unfiltered joy before joining the players and staff on the pitch at full time.
“This is very important for us and for the fabric of NorthEast United FC. I want to thank the management, the coaching staff, the support staff, and above all, every single player who made this possible. To be back-to-back champions of the Durand Cup is special,” he said.
Head coach Juan Pedro Benali lauded John’s constant encouragement, calling him the driving force behind the team. “There are no words to describe what John means to this club. He is always behind us, supporting us. He never lets his hands down. He is the captain of the ship, and we are grateful to him. I take my hat off to John and to everyone in the club,” Benali remarked.
