Football
ISL Player of the Week: Alaeddine Ajaraie, the magician from Morocco
Ajaraie's record-equalling performance against Jamshedpur FC secured NorthEast United's second win of the ISL season.
Alaeddine Ajaraie, the Moroccan forward for NorthEast United FC, has taken ISL 2024-25 by storm.
The 31-year-old Alaeddine, as his name suggests, has moulded himself as a virtue of faith for NorthEast United.
He delivered a magnificent performance against Jamshedpur FC in Matchweek 6 as the Highlanders tore through the Jamshedpur defence, netting five goals before a boisterous crowd in Guwahati.
It was their second win of the season.
A moment of magic
By scoring a brace against Jamshedpur FC with his magical touch, not only did Alaeddine equal the ISL record for the most consecutive games scored, finding the opener against Jamshedpur FC on Saturday, but he also proved his importance to coach Juan Pedro Benali's scheme of things.
He drew level with Brazilian Elano, who scored in six successive games while playing for Chennaiyin FC in the first season of ISL in 2014.
Five minutes into the game, there was an Alaeddine moment of magic when he received a pass from Buanthanglun Samte on the left.
Well into his zone, with no Jamshedpur players nearby, he adjusted himself, took a few steps and quickly shot from outside the box.
The ball duly curled and landed in the top right corner, leaving the diving Jamshedpur FC goalkeeper Albino Gomes shell-shocked.
Such was the beauty of the goal and its importance that NorthEast United seem to have finally found their magician.
Thrilled by the skill on display, Pulasta Dhar called the moment live on air with delight - "Alaeddine... This Alaeddine needs no genie."
A few minutes later, Alaeddine, who joined NorthEast United from Moroccan top-tier side FAR Rabat, came close to scoring his second but could not convert the chance created by Jithin MS's cross.
Indispensable
Nevertheless, Alaeddine demonstrated his indispensability to NorthEast United by assisting one of Parthib Gogoi's two strikes.
In the 55th minute, he executed a brilliant defence-splitting pass, which Jithin received inside the box before passing it to Gogoi, who slotted the ball home for his second goal of the match and tenth in the ISL.
20-year-old substitute Louis Macarton Nickson made it 4-0 in the 82nd minute, but the Khalid Jamil-coached Jamshedpur FC's plight did not end there.
Hungry for more, Alaeddine continued to press a shattered Jamshedpur defence, eventually breaking into a lightning-quick run in the 90th minute after receiving a pass from Michel Zabaco.
He capped off the 5-0 rout with a stunning goal that left Gomes stretched.
Alaeddine, who was key to NorthEast United's Durand Cup triumph earlier this year, scoring three goals and providing assists in two of his five appearances, has already scored seven goals in six matches in ISL 2024-25.
With this tally, he overtakes FC Goa's Armando Sadiku as the top contender for this year's Golden Boot with seven goals.
With the season still in its early stages, coach Benali will be eager for Alaeddine to maintain his top form, stay injury-free, and continue delivering his magic as the league unfolds.