NorthEast United FC have something to cheer about as they defeated Chennaiyin FC 3-1 in an entertaining Indian Super League match. Doungel scored a sublime hat-trick, first for NorthEast United as the host outplayed the visitors. Doungel scored in the 42nd, 46th and 68th minutes to hand NorthEast United their biggest win in this edition of the ISL. The 24-year-old player from Manipur also became the first Indian player to score a hat-trick this edition.
Despite the win, their second victory at home and third overall so far, NorthEast United remained at ninth spot in the 10-team league table with 10 points from 10 matches while Chennaiyin FC also remained at the second spot with 20 points from 11 matches.
NorthEast United had lost 0-3 against Chennaiyin FC in Chennai earlier in their first-leg clash but Doungel turned the tables on their rivals with a hat-trick, the first ever for NorthEast since inception in 2014.