NorthEast United FC grabs a valuable point, holds Bengaluru FC to 1-1 draw
Bengaluru FC, the defending champions of the Indian Super League (ISL), were forced to share points with NorthEast United FC after a 1-1 draw at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Monday. NorthEast United FC defender Provat Lakra scored an own goal in the 20th minute, giving Bengaluru an early lead and advantage. NorthEast, however, showed resilience and came back to level terms through a penalty converted by Ghanaian midfielder Jahouh in the 42nd minute. Both teams had chances to win the match in the end, but neither could find a winning goal, resulting in a draw. The result means that Bengaluru FC remains in second place in the ISL standings with 15 points from eight matches, while NorthEast United FC moves up to ninth place with eight points from as many games.
Bengaluru FC started the match strongly and looked like the more likely team to score in the early going. They came close in the 11th minute when Sivasakthi Narayanan found himself with some space in the NorthEast United FC penalty area, but his shot was saved by goalkeeper Mirshad Michu. Bengaluru FC's pressure eventually paid off in the 20th minute when Provat Lakra turned the ball into his own net while attempting to clear a cross from the right flank. Despite going behind, NorthEast United FC did not lose heart and started to create chances of their own. They came close to equalizing in the 32nd minute when Jithin MS's header was saved by Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, and again in the 37th minute when a shot from Laldanmawia Ralte was blocked by a Bengaluru defender.
NorthEast United FC's persistence paid off in the 42nd minute when they were awarded a penalty after Gurpreet Singh Sandhu brought down Rochharzela outside the box. Ghanaian midfielder Jahouh stepped up and calmly slotted the spot-kick into the bottom corner to level the scores. The second half started with both teams looking to take the lead, but it was NorthEast United FC who came closest to scoring in the 55th minute when a shot from Laldanmawia Ralte crashed against the crossbar. Bengaluru FC came close to winning the match in the 82nd minute when Sivasakthi Narayanan's shot was saved by Mirshad Michu, and again in the 90th minute when substitute Udanta Singh's shot went just wide of the post. In the end, neither team could find a winning goal, and the match ended in a draw.
Conclusion
The draw was a fair result for both teams. Bengaluru FC will be disappointed not to have taken all three points, but they will be pleased with their overall performance. NorthEast United FC will be delighted to have come away with a point, and they will be hoping to build on this result in their upcoming matches. The result means that Bengaluru FC remains in second place in the ISL standings with 15 points from eight matches, while NorthEast United FC moves up to ninth place with eight points from as many games.
