Quarter-Final 2 Preview: Bodoland FC vs North East United

It is going to be a passionate and high-stakes encounter at the SAI Stadium in Kokrajhar as Bodoland FC face NorthEast United FC in the quarter-finals of the Durand Cup 2025, a contest full of local pride, passion, and stakes.

For Bodoland FC, started just in 2022, this is more than football. Emerging from the Bodoland Territorial Region, they have won over the local crowd and set a precedent last year when they became the first club from the region to feature in the prestigious Durand Cup competition. Their loudest weapon will be the roar of home fans.

In their path are the current champions. NorthEast United FC, coached by Spaniard Juan Pedro Benali,won their first major title in the 2024 season and have come back with sights on consecutive titles. Spearheading their attack is Moroccan superstar Alaaeddine Ajaraie, presently the competition's leading scorer with five goals.

Bodoland's expectations will be pinned on a skilled pool of foreign players like Ghanaians Benjamin Nana Techie, Joe Aidoo, Frank Nana Kofi, and Cameroonian striker Zacharie Mbenda. But they have learned before how hazardous this team is to play against NorthEast's strike force of Jithin MS, Ankith Padmanabhan, and Parthib Gogoi were deadly in their 2–0 group stage victory over Bodoland last season.

It's a rising local team against the heritage of veteran champions. The question is, can Bodoland create a legendary upset on home turf, or will Highlanders return to prove why they are the Durand Cup champions once again?