Durand Cup 2024: Punjab FC and NorthEast United bag all three points

NorthEast United Head Coach Juan Pedro Benali fielded his team in a 3-5-2 formation which included new signings Muthu, Hierro and U-23 Moroccan international Regragui.

NorthEast United FC beat Bodoland FC in the Durand Cup 2024 match. | Photo Credit: Durand Cup

Punjab FC opened its campaign on a confident note as it blanked the paramilitary outfit CISF Protectors 3-0 in a Group C league match of the 133rd Durand Cup, at the Kishore Bharati Stadium here on Tuesday.

Dominating from the start Punjab found the lead through its captain Luka Majcen, who found the net in the 29th minute. The Slovenian forward doubled the lead in the 58th minute by producing another nice finish before Vinit Rai secured the win for Punjab FC converting a penalty in the 76th minute.

NorthEast United FC bagged the full quota of points by downing the local side Bodoland FC 2-0 in a group E match at SAI Stadium in Kokrajhar. Two second half goals by Jithin M.S and Ankith Padmanabhan ensured that NorthEast United opened its campaign with a win.

The result:

Group C (Kolkata): Punjab FC 3 (Luka Majcen 29, 58, Vinit Rai 76-pen) bt CISF Protectors 0. Group E (Kokrajhar): NorthEast United FC 2 (Jithin M.S. 49, Ankith Padmanabhan 90+3)