NorthEast United enter Super Cup quarterfinals

Moroccan striker Alaaeddine Ajaraie struck a brilliant hat-trick as NorthEast United FC demolished Mohammedan Sporting 6-0 to enter the Kalinga Super Cup quarterfinals here on Thursday.

Ajaraie scored in the 18th, 57th and 90+2 minutes while Jithin MS (3rd), Nestor Albiach Roger (42nd) and Guillermo Fernandez Hierro (66th) also found the target for NorthEast United in the completely one-sided match.

NorthEast United have had a penchant for scoring early in games this season and they continued that trend, with a goal in the third minute. Jithin MS capitalised on some lacklustre Mohammedan defending to smartly volley Nestor Albiach's cross from inside the six-yard box and give his side the lead.

NorthEast added a fifth in the 66th minute, Guillermo finishing smartly of Ajaraie’s pass. With the game effectively wrapped up, the entire focus was on whether Ajaraie would get a hat-trick, and he duly did, converting an injury-time penalty to complete the rout.