GRITTY NORTHEAST HOLDS BENGALURU TO DRAW
Both sides settle for a point each in what was a riveting contest
BENGALURU: Defending champion Bengaluru FC was held to a goalless draw by a spirited NorthEast United FC in its first game of the 2019-20 Indian Super League (ISL) at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium here on Monday.
There were debuts handed out to several new signings, including Asamoah Gyan (NEUFC), Raphael Augusto and Ashique Kuruniyan (both BFC), but the teams couldn’t be separated at the end of 90 minutes in what was a riveting contest. Bengaluru got off the blocks quickly and pressed NorthEast high up the field.
Ashique announced his arrival with a trademark solo run from the left-back position in the 15th minute. The former FC Pune City midfielder beat three players on his way into the box, but shot wide of the mark. NorthEast was pinned to its own half in the early stages, but was the first to have a shot on target.
Collecting a layoff from Gyan, Uruguayan Martin Chaves dribbled past Juanan and forced a diving save from Gurpreet Singh Sandhu in the 21st minute. A few minutes later, Augusto split the Highlanders’ defence with an exquisite pass that released Udanta Singh into the box. But the Indian winger failed to test the NorthEast goalkeeper as he struck a wayward shot from a promising position.
The intensity dropped as the first
There were debuts handed out to several new signings, including Asamoah Gyan (NorthEast United FC), Raphael Augusto and Ashique Kuruniyan (both Bengaluru FC), but the teams couldn’t be separated at the end
half wore on. The Bengaluru defence failed to clear a loose ball inside the box after the half-hour mark and Rahul Bheke’s header back to Gurpreet ended up on the feet of Chaves, who slashed wide while in front of an open goal. The game came to life once again after the break, with both teams finding openings.
Chaves’ rampaging run through the centre in the 52nd minute caught the Bengaluru defence off guard. The forward found Gyan in space inside the box and the Ghanaian striker’s splendid effort bounced back off the bar. Bengaluru, however, responded by fashioning two huge chances.
Skipper Sunil Chhetri won a header at the back post and found Michael Onwu at point-blank range, but the latter could not sort his feet out in time and the danger was cleared. A headed clearance by Mislav Komorski after the hour-mark fell to Nishu Kumar, who unleashed a powerful strike. But, Subhasish Roy Chowdhury, in the Highlanders’ goal, brilliantly kept it out with one hand while diving to his right.
Carles Cuadrat brought Eugeneson Lyngdoh on with less than ten minutes to go as Bengaluru tried to find a late winner. But the NorthEast defence, led by centre-backs Komorski and Kai Heerings, and screened by an ever-present Jose Leudo in midfield, did well to close the gaps, frustrating the host. With the help of the clean sheet, the away side took home a point.