Speaking on behalf of the club, Abraham expressed his gratitude to the president for the recognition and lauded the Indian armed forces for their role in preserving the Durand Cup's legacy.
Defending champions NorthEast United FC will face impressive hosts Shillong Lajong FC in the first semifinals of the Durand Cup, an encore of 2024 final match, in Shillong on Tuesday.
Reacting to the developments on his official X handle, John Abraham expressed disappointment at how things have unfolded.
Shillong Lajong FC rallied splendidly to beat Indian Navy 2-1 and advance to the semifinal of the Durand Cup football tournament for the second successive year in Shillong on Saturday.
Defending champions NorthEast United FC secured a convincing 3-1 victory over Malaysian Armed Forces FT in their opening Group E match of the Durand Cup at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Saturday.
Jamshedpur FC booked their place in the quarterfinals of the 134th Durand Cup with a clinical 2-0 victory over 1 Ladakh FC in a Group C clash in Jamshedpur on Friday.
A dominant NorthEast United FC are standing in the way as giant-killers Diamond Harbour FC look to script history by becoming the first debutant team to win the Durand Cup title in Kolkata on Saturday.
Hyderabad FC posed some threat in the second half with Manoj Mohammed pulling a goal back, but it wasn't enough as Asheer Akhtar and Mohammed Bemammer scored late goals to have NEUFC seal all three points at home.
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NEUFC fashion dramatic turnaround to stun Bagan in a shootout and win historic Durand Cup title in Kolkata on Saturday
Phalguni Singh's second half goal was enough for ISL side Northeast United FC to overcome a spirited Indian Army FC 1-0 in the first quarterfinal of the Durand Cup in Guwahati on Thursday.
The next phase in the game saw both teams create half-chances but both the backlines did enough to thwart the danger.
This hard-fought win also brings relief to Mohun Bagan manager Jose Molina, who had faced 'Go Back' chants at this very venue on Wednesday during their draw in the AFC Cup.
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Redeem Tlang's first half goal was enough for defending champions NorthEast United to beat Shillong Lajong 1-0 and book their place in the final of the 134th Durand Cup
NorthEast United got off the blocks quickly as Ajaraie handed them the lead in the sixth minute of the match. It was a brilliant move from Redeem Tlang who found Thoi Singh in space on the right flank.
FC Goa have been unbeaten in the last 10 games.
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NEUFC could have doubled their tally soon after the half-hour mark had Suhair VP converted his chance. Rochharzela whipped a cross for the unmarked striker in the box, but he cushioned his header over the crossbar.
NEUFC are the fourth highest scoring teams with 42 strikes.
Hyderabad settled the tie in their favour in the second half through late goals from substitute Liston Colaco (85', 90').
The win took the Highlanders to the second spot with eight points as they remained unbeaten from four matches.
NEUFC eventually grew into the game and fashioned better chances in the second quarter of the opening half. They had a penalty claim denied after the half-hour mark.
NEUFC started the game at a furious pace and only needed nine minutes to come up with the first goal. Ashutosh Mehta found Machado with an accurate cross and the latter hit it first time past a diving Arshdeep Singh.
Early exchanges saw both sides create half-chances. Suhair Vadakkepeedika provided Lalkhawpuimawia with a decent chance but the forward completely miscued his shot from 12 yards out, to the anger of Jamil on the sideline.
Goals from Matti Steinmann (6th) and Anthony Pilkington (68th) secured the victory for SCEB
Mohammedan Sporting suffered a heartbreaking defeat in their Indian Super League debut, conceding a stoppage-time goal to recently-crowned Durand Cup champions NorthEast United FC in Kolkata on Monday.
East Bengal edge past NEUFC 1-0 to register first win of ISL season
Mohamed Irshad scored a goal deep into injury time but that didn't matter in the end as Khalid Jamil's side remained on 10 points from 16 games. Kerala now have 23 points from 13 outings.
The goalless stalemate in the fourth edition of Indian Super League (ISL) continued for a second successive day as debutant Jamshedpur FC held NorthEast United FC to a 0-0 draw in Guwahati on Saturday.
Goa were keen to impose themselves on the Highlanders and came close in the fifth minute. Fernandes played a long diagonal pass from inside his own half to find Mendoza on the flank, but the latter shot straight at keeper Subhasish Chowdhury.
NorthEast United FC advanced to the quarterfinals of the Durand Cup football tournament after a convincing 3-1 victory over Downtown Heroes in Guwahati on Sunday.
Mumbai City FC defeated NorthEast United FC by a 1-0 margin to go atop the table in their ISL match in Guwahati on Saturday.
Atletico de Kolkata produced a gritty performance as they scored twice in the second half to notch up a 2-1 win over hosts NorthEast United in an entertaining Hero Indian Super League match at Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Friday.
The Highlanders were the more organised side from the moment the referee blew his whistle and their upper hand in the game finally paid dividends in the 26th minute of the first half.
FC Goa struck late to floor NorthEast United FC 2-1 for their first home win this season in the Hero Indian Super League on Friday.
Ferran Corominas (14th, 38th) scored a brace while Federico Gallego (8th) and Bartholomew Ogbeche (53rd) found the net for the hosts.
Roy Krishna had a couple of half-chances thereafter but good reflexes from Mirshad Michu in NorthEast goal and Krishna's inefficiency to keep the ball on target kept the score to 1-0.
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VP Suhair and Patrick Flottmann scored to give NorthEast the win.