All posts tagged: Alaaeddine Ajaraie

Alaaeddine Ajaraie extends stay at NorthEast United FC

Alaaeddine Ajaraie extends stay at NorthEast United FC

Published by Webster

NorthEast United FC are delighted to announce that Alaaeddine Ajaraie, the 2024-25 Indian Super League (ISL) Golden Boot and the Golden Ball winner, will stay with the club for the 2025-26 season. Ajaraie joined NorthEast United FC at the start of the 2024-25 campaign on a contract that included an option for a second year, contingent upon meeting specific performance criteria. Following a stellar debut season in Indian football, the Moroccan forward fulfilled those requirements, automatically activating the contract extension. Ajaraie was also keen to continue his journey with the club and had expressed his desire to stay on and build on the momentum throughout the season. Ajaraie, 32, enjoyed a phenomenal first season, registering an impressive 29 goals and 10 assists across 32 appearances in all competitions. He opened his NorthEast United account on his club debut — the Durand Cup clash against Border Security Force FC — and played a pivotal role throughout the tournament, including in the final, where he scored, assisted, and converted his penalty in the shootout to help NorthEast …

East Bengal finish season with record red cards- Talking points

East Bengal finish season with record red cards- Talking points

Published by Webster

East Bengal FC’s dismal 2024-25 Indian Super League (ISL) season ended on a sour note as they suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat against NorthEast United FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong. The result marked 10th win for the Highlanders, propelling them into the playoffs with 38 points from 24 games. However, the match also saw East Bengal FC continue their worrying trend of disciplinary issues, as Tanmay Das’ late red card meant that East Bengal wrapped up the season with a record number of red cards — a stat that perfectly reflects their turbulent campaign. Here are the five major talking points from NorthEast United’s dominant win over East Bengal: 5. East Bengal FC End the Season With a Record Number of Red Cards East Bengal’s 2024-25 ISL campaign will be remembered not only for their inconsistent performances but also for their poor disciplinary record. With Tanmay Das being sent off in the 84th minute, East Bengal now hold the unwanted record of the most red cards in a single ISL season. The Kolkata-based …

NorthEast United qualify for playoffs, eliminate Chennaiyin- Talking points

NorthEast United qualify for playoffs, eliminate Chennaiyin- Talking points

Published by Webster

NorthEast United FC delivered a statement performance in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25, defeating Chennaiyin FC 3-0 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai. With this emphatic victory, the Highlanders secured their place in the playoffs for the first time since the 2020-21 season. Here are the five major talking points from the match: #5NorthEast United FC’s first-half blitz NorthEast United FC wasted no time in asserting dominance, scoring all three of their goals in a sensational first half. Nestor Albiach opened the scoring in the 7th minute with a precise finish, thanks to an exquisite assist from Alaaeddine Ajaraie. Jithin MS then doubled the lead in the 26th minute, rounding off a well-constructed move initiated by Mohammed Ali Bemammer. The Moroccan playmaker Ajaraie added the third in the 38th minute, following up on his initial shot after Ryan Edwards’ block. The intensity and precision displayed by the Highlanders left Chennaiyin FC struggling to keep up, effectively deciding the match within the first 45 minutes. #4 Alaaeddine Ajaraie: The genius Once again, Alaaeddine Ajaraie showcased …

Alaaeddine Ajaraie breaks record for most goals in a season

Alaaeddine Ajaraie breaks record for most goals in a season

Published by Webster

Alaaeddine Ajaraie created Indian Super League history as he officially broke the record for the most goals in a single season, scoring his 19th goal of the 2024-25 campaign during Northeast United’s match against Jamshedpur FC, on Thursday. The Moroccan forward surpassed the previous record of 18 goals in a season, jointly held by Ferran Corominas (2017-18) and Bartholomew Ogbeche (2021-22). He added a second in the 81st minute, to make it 20 goals in the season. The right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner was assisted by Thoi Singh .Ajaraie’s milestone goal comes in a crucial clash with the play-offs race heating up, further cementing his status as one of the league’s most prolific strikers. Ajaraie had equalled the record in Northeast United fixture against Odisha FC, where he scored a brace to take his tally to 18 goals in 19 matches in the ongoing season. Alongside his goal-scoring prowess, he has also recorded the most goal contributions in a single ISL season, with 25 direct involvements …

ISL: Flawless NorthEast United thumps Mumbai City FC 3-0

ISL: Flawless NorthEast United thumps Mumbai City FC 3-0

Published by Webster

NorthEast United FC defeated Mumbai City FC by 3-0 at the Mumbai Football Arena in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 on Monday. This was the first time that the Highlanders triumphed over the Islanders in their last seven ISL meetings. Despite dominating 65.2 per cent of the possession, Mumbai City FC could take only three shots on target, as compared to the seven of the visitors. The home team took 31 crosses, but were unable to muster up concrete chances in the final third. Alaaeddine Ajaraie strikes the quickest goal of the season The match started with NorthEast United FC netting in the 46th second of the match through Alaaeddine Ajaraie, in what turned out to be the fastest goal by the Highlanders in an ISL game, beating the previous best by VP Suhair (01:42 vs Mohun Bagan Super Giant on December 21, 2021). The visitors won the ball back from Nikolaos Karelis in the opening move of the game, before Parthib Gogoi brought down a long ball with a delicate touch on the …

How Alaaeddine Ajaraie became ISL’s most feared forward?

How Alaaeddine Ajaraie became ISL’s most feared forward?

Published by Webster

He arrived with little fanfare. Few knew him, and he didn’t boast a big name or brand recognition. He didn’t seem flashy or spectacular, at least until he touched the ball. From that first touch, Alaaeddine Ajaraie has never looked back. Since then, he’s become a magic lamp of goals for India’s Northeast. He’s making a strong case as the player everyone wants in the Indian Super League. After eight rounds of games, Alaaeddine leads the Golden Boot race by a comfortable margin, having scored 11 goals. It’s not just his lead that makes his case unprecedented in the ISL—it’s the sheer intensity of his performance. Alaaeddine hasn’t just scored 11 goals; he’s scored in every game he’s played, equaling and breaking records along the way. The legendary numbers of Ogbeche and Corominas suddenly seem modest beside the Moroccan’s form. Currently, he’s scoring at a rate of one goal every 58 minutes—a rate no one has matched in league history. This article provides a statistical breakdown of every aspect of Ajaraie’s incredible form. Zone of …

Indian youngsters lead the Team of the Week for match week 8

Indian youngsters lead the Team of the Week for match week 8

Published by Webster

The Indian Super League (ISL) heads into its second international break of the season following an intense Matchweek 8, highlighted by a historic milestone as the league completed its 1000th game. Bengaluru FC held onto their lead at the top with a hard-fought draw against Northeast United FC, while East Bengal FC earned their first point of the season in a dramatic 0-0 derby draw with Mohammedan SC. Alaaeddine Ajaraie continued his sensational form with another brace, while promising Indian talents like Nathan Rodrigues and Korou Singh stood out with impressive performances. Here’s The Bridge’s Team of the Week for Matchweek 8: Goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Singh Gill – East Bengal FC The young East Bengal keeper had a challenging season but finally secured his first clean sheet in this week’s derby against Mohammedan SC. Playing with only nine men on the field, he faced intense pressure from Mohammedan’s attackers and made five crucial saves, skillfully commanding the defense and managing high-risk crosses. Defenders Boris Singh – FC Goa The young full-back, typically an attacking winger, played …

Bengaluru FC maintains their lead at top with a draw against Northeast United-Talking Points

Bengaluru FC maintains their lead at top with a draw against Northeast United-Talking Points

Published by Webster

Bengaluru FC mainatined their lead at the top of the league table as they snatched a point at home with a 2-2 draw against Northeast United FC, despite a first half brace from Alaaeddine Ajaraie. Northeast had a firing start to the match, taking a lead at the half time because of the defensive lapses of Bengaluru FC. Howver, they couldn’t convert it into a win as Ryan Williams scored an equaliser int the second half. Her are the five major talking points of the exiting encounter: #5 Jithin the live wire Jithin MS has an outstanding outing so far in the season as he continuously troubling the opponent defenses with his quick runs on the right flank. He maintained the same in the match against Bengaluru and stretched their defense on the wings which led to the assist for the second goal of Ajaraie, as he forced Gurpreet to make an error. #4 Alaeddine’s magic The talismanic moroccon winger Alaaeddine Ajaraie has been in a scintillating form this season, scoring his third consecutive brace …

Alaaeddine Ajaraie breaks record for most goals in a season

Alaeddine Ajaraie Sets ISL Record with Goals in First 7 Games

Published by Webster

Alaeddine Ajaraie of NorthEast United FC has made history in the Indian Super League (ISL) by becoming the first player ever to score in seven consecutive matches at the start of a season. Ajaraie’s record-breaking feat surpasses the previous record held by Brazilian playmaker Elano, who scored in six straight games during the league’s inaugural season in 2014. Ajaraie achieved this milestone in style during NorthEast United’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Odisha FC. He scored twice in the match to surpass Elano’s record and assisted the winning goal, showing his versatility as both a scorer and a creator. With 13 goal contributions (seven goals and six assists) in just seven games, Ajaraie has been pivotal in NorthEast United’s strong start to the season. Ajaraie’s remarkable form has propelled NorthEast United to fifth position in the league. In just seven games, he has already racked up an impressive 13 goal contributions (seven goals and six assists), making him the most effective offensive player in the ISL this season. His goal-per-game consistency has not only energized his …

Top 10 Foreign Players of 2024-25 Season

Top 10 Foreign Players of 2024-25 Season

Published by Webster

A quarter of the way into the 2024-25 Indian Super League (ISL) season, the standings have already delivered some surprises. Four of last year’s playoff teams are currently out of the top six, while clubs like Jamshedpur FC and NorthEast United FC are playing some of their best football in years. With 16 points, Bengaluru FC has matched its best-ever start, reminiscent of its league-topping 2018-19 season. Central to these shifts are the international stars, including both new signings and experienced players who’ve changed clubs. Let’s take a closer look at ten of the top-performing overseas players who are making waves this season. 1. Alaaeddine Ajaraie (NorthEast United FC) Alaaeddine Ajaraie has quickly become a sensation for NorthEast United FC, racking up 10 goal contributions (7 goals, 3 assists) in just 460 minutes – the most by any player this season. His average goal contribution every 46 minutes is the second-best rate in ISL history among players with at least 300 minutes played. Ajaraie is only the second player in ISL history to score in …