The first match of what can be said as the 2nd phase of this season’s ISL comes to an end as North East United FC share points with Bengaluru FC for the 2nd time this season.
Bengaluru FC coming from their worst run in ISL, with 4 back to back losses would be much relieved to get 1point from the fixture, while North East United would have probably liked to pick all 3points against a mentally down Bengaluru FC side, which they actually could have, if only they could capitalize on the opportunities they created tonight.
There were a lot of talking point in tonight’s game from a goalkeeping blunder from Gurmeet who has been good throughout the match apart from that mistake, to Suresh Wangjam being benched by Bengaluru FC for no apparent reason except may be for giving the youngster some rest before the remaining 9matches which will be crucial for the team in order to finish the season on a high.
NORTH EAST UNITED FC:
North East United FC would perhaps be the more sad amongst the 2 teams as they could have easily stolen 3 points from the match if they wouldn’t have missed there chances and also not conceded the goal from a goalkeeping error from Gurmeet Singh.
From Benjamin, and Fox being solid at the back to experience from, Asutosh and artistic touches from Gallego, and Machado, with a blend of youth and fighting spirit from Rochharzela, North East United had put up a show against Bengalur as they always do.
Though Machado scored yet another goal against Bengaluru this season, but destiny probably had in store another draw between the two sides, be it Chemcho’s late equaliser or a Rahul Bhekenbauer goal to settle for a draw.
Gurmeet Singh 6
Dylan Fox 7
Benjamin Lambot 7
Gurjinder Kumar 6.5
Ashutosh Mehta 6.5
Lalengmawia 8
Khassa Camara 7
Luís Machado 7.5
Rochharzela 7
Suhair VP 6.5
Federico Gallego 6.5
Ninthoinganba Meetei 6.5, Mashoor Shereef – not rated.
BENGALURU FC:
Bengaluru FC the happier of the two sides, though not at their best but would be happy for the time being with 1point from the game as their strikers once again fail to deliver and so does their experienced midfield with players like Dimas and Partaalu.
Escaping defeat as it can be termed, Bengaluru FC were lucky enough to bring out a point from the fixture and stay in competition for the Top 4 spot.
Surprising exclusion of Suresh from the first 11 was questioned by commentators and experts but the coach was happy enough with the result. The only positive for Bengaluru FC though, was the performance of Parag Srivas at the left back spot who performed quite well after being given an opportunity.
Gurpreet Singh 6.5
Juanan 7
Pratik Chowdhary 6.5
Parag Srivas 7
Rahul Bheke 7.5
Harmanjot Khabra 7
Erik Paartalu 6.5
Dimas Delgado 6.5
Kristian Opseth 6
Sunil Chhetri 7
Cleiton Silva 6.5
Leon Augustine 6.5, Amay Morajkar 6.5.
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