An amazing match today sees the hosts go on top of the table. We take your leave with that but we return on Thursday with more action coming your way. Delhi Dynamos FC will welcome the Kerala Blasters to their home ground and that game will begin at 1930 IST. Join us for that one, take care till then! Cheers!
Awards
The Club Award is given to Bengaluru FC. The Limitless Player of the Match is Federico Gallego and the Winning Pass of the Match Award is handed over to Juanan. While the Emerging Player of the Match is Lalthathanga Khawlhring, the Hero of the Match is Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.
Back on top!
The fortress remains unconquered and Bengaluru FC have come back hungry in tonight's game after their first loss this season to win this one 2-1. The opening goal in the 14th minute which was an own goal from Mislav Komorski was cancelled out by a 60th-minute equaliser from Federico Gallego. But, the game did not remain on parity for too long as exactly 11 minutes later, super substitute Chencho Gyeltshen pushed one into the back of the net. NorthEast United FC still had multiple chances to come back into the game but they were all wasted or thwarted by the brilliant goalkeeping from Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. Thus, in the end the hosts held on to the one-goal lead and took all the points. Champion stuff as they go back to leading the table and where they truly belong! Stay with us for the awards ceremony...
90'
Final whistle!
The last play of the game has been made and the ref blows his whistle to signal the end of the game. Bengaluru FC have bounced back in spectacular fashion here after their previous defeat and bagged all 3 points here with a 2-1 win.
90'
Insane goalkeeping!
A free kick from Federico Gallego is lifted into the box and it goes on to the feet of Juan Mascia who just helps it on and angles it towards the target on the volley. It looked like going in just before Gurpreet Singh Sandhu leaps in the air and tips it wide with his hand. Brilliant stuff to keep the lead in tact!
90'
Added time!
4 minutes are added on as stoppage time at the end of 90 minutes. Can the home team hold on for full points or will we see a twist in the tale here?
89'
Change
The last change for the hosts. A tactic to waste time most probably, Edmund Lalrindika comes in and replaces Udanta Singh.
89'
Substitution
Substitution - Bengaluru FC (In: Edmund Lalrindika, Out: Udanta Singh)
86'
Easy save this time!
A corner from Federico Gallego reaches the feet of Keegan Pereira. Keegan then lifts a left-footed cross into the box where he finds the head of fellow sub Juan Mascia. The latter can only head the ball meekly on target where the hands Gurpreet Singh Sandhu are waiting to catch the ball adorably.
79'
Substitution
Substitution - NorthEast United FC (In: Juan Mascia, Out: Jose Leudo)
78'
Substitution
Substitution - NorthEast United FC (In: Keegan Pereira, Out: Robert Lalthlamuana)
77'
Golden opportunity missed
NorthEast United FC desperate to come back in the game. Federico Gallego makes a good run and passes a low one to his left where Bartholomew Ogbeche is through on goal. The latter though misses his shot and lifts it just above the bar. Great chance to come back level wasted.
74'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Bengaluru FC : Rahul Bheke
71'
GOALLLLLL!!!
The crowd is going crazy here! The home team are back in front. There were fights on the field a few moments back and this is the best way to give it back! Rahul Bheke with another long throw-in into the box onto the head of Juanan who flicks it behind and out of nowhere comes Chencho Gyeltshen. He has the simplest of kicks to put the ball into the goal. The lead is restored, can NorthEast United FC now come back from behind once more?
71'
Goal
Goal - Bengaluru FC : Chencho Gyeltshen
71'
Substitution
Substitution - Bengaluru FC (In: Gursimrat Singh, Out: Rino Anto)
68'
Unbelievable!
It had to be the second goal there for the visitors. How Bengaluru FC are still on level terms no one knows. A lobbed pass from Lalthathanga Khawlhring puts Panagiotis Triadis in the clear. He is alone with the goalkeeper in front of him but just does not have the composure and shoots it right onto the huge frame of Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. The ball rolls out and falls at the feet of Bartholomew Ogbeche who lines up another shot on target and Sandhu saves once more! Incredible goalkeeping.
64'
Brilliant Save!
A long ball from Reagan Singh goes towards Erik Paartalu who is challenged for the ball by Bartholomew Ogbeche. The Nigerian manages to get the ball away from Erik and gets in on goal. He is one-on-one with the keeper and tries to place it to the left of the keeper but Gurpreet Singh Sandhu's outstretched left leg comes in the way and the ball goes out of play. What a chance that was for the away team to take the lead.
60'
GOALLLLLL!!!
The comeback in on! Bengaluru FC have been caught out here and the travelling supporters are going crazy here! A lofted ball from Robert Lalthlamuana from the left of midfield post a throw in into the Bengaluru FC box. Juanan seems to have no idea of Federico Gallego who sneaks in front of him and reaches the ball. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu charges at him trying to cover the goal but Gallego calmly puts it in between the keeper's feet and into the back of the net. 1-1 and the game is back on level terms!
60'
Goal
Goal - NorthEast United FC : Federico Gallego
57'
Halt in play
Albert Serran is down on the ground, needing some medical attention. Gets it and looks okay to continue but will have to go out until the ref allows him to come back on.
54'
Substitution
Substitution - Bengaluru FC (In: Chencho Gyeltshen, Out: Kean Lewis)
52'
A 50-50 decision
Redeem Tlang puts a long ball towards the box with some hope and finds Bartholomew Ogbeche struggling between the defenders. He gets a touch to the ball just before Gurpreet Singh Sandhu dives to catch the ball. Ogbeche goes down but the ref doesn't think he was brought down.
51'
Substitution
Substitution - NorthEast United FC (In: Panagiotis Triadis, Out: Mislav Komorski)
48'
Sharp start
The visitors seem to be hell bent on finding the equaliser. Robert Lalthlamuana looks to lift this ball into the box and does so successfully but Mislav Komorski who gets to the end of it can only put it wide of target. They cannot afford to pass up such chances.
46'
Resumption
We are back for the second half. The trailing visitors will get us underway now.
More like it!
This is more like the Bengaluru FC we know. They have bounced back beautifully from the defeat in the previous game and attacked throughout the half. They started on the front foot and eventually took the lead via an own goal in the 14th minute. Make no mistake, it was due to a brilliant strategy from the practice ground. Post that, they have attacked as well as have been solid at the back. The away team, NorthEast United FC did have a few chances towards the final stages of the first period but nothing could convert into a goal. Hence, they trail at half-time and will have to come back harder if they want any points from this game.
45'
Half time!
The ref blows the whistle and brings the half to a close. Bengaluru FC lead 1-0 at the break.
45'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - NorthEast United FC : Jose Leudo
45'
Added time
1 minute is added on at the end of the first 45.
44'
A long run...
Bartholomew Ogbeche finds a good pass just over the half line. He runs half the pitch from there but was kept under pressure by the defender. He failed to produce anything significant from this opportunity though.
37'
Quick free-kick
Bartholomew Ogbeche takes a quick start to the free-kick. Bengaluru FC had no idea that Reagan Singh was running on the right flank to make it even. He then brings the ball in the box and shoots towards the far post but Gurpreet Singh Sandhu saves it away easily.
33'
Should have been 2-0
A long throw-in from Rahul Bheke is headed on in the box by Erik Paartalu towards Udanta Singh who is on the right side edge of the box. The latter then takes a shot towards goal but snatches at his shot as it goes wide of the far post. Sunil Chhetri out there still had a chance to just tap it in but cannot reach it even with his full length dive. What a miss!
28'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - NorthEast United FC : Mato Grgic
28'
Almost!
Rowllin Borges plays a brilliant through ball to Reagan Singh on the right flank. The latter then lofts a beautiful cross into the box where Bartholomew Ogbeche heads it towards the direction of goal. It flies just over the bar. NorthEast United FC forming some good attacks here.
26'
So close
A play started from the corner. NorthEast United FC build up nicely around the left flank. Reagan Singh finds Mislav Komorski in a promising position and puts a cross to which he heads it just wide off the post on the left. That is the nearest they have reached.
21'
Consistent pressure
Bengaluru FC are not settling down after the goal and are attacking constantly. NorthEast United FC just can't get a break.
14'
GOALLLL!!!
What a brilliant play there by Bengaluru FC from the free-kick. Dimas Delgado was the man who started the play. Looks like they had this in mind. The ball was passed along the ground to Sunil Chhetri who lobbed Udanta Singh inside the box. The NorthEast United FC defense were not ready for this and they were caught off by the pace. Udanta lets in good low cross along the ground that is deflected off the foot of Federico Gallego and goes towards goal. Mislav Komorski tries to clear it with his left foot but the ball ends up finding the inner part of the cross bar and goes into his own net. This is the work of the master mind coach of Bengaluru FC. 1-0 up the hosts and the crowd is going crazy!
14'
Own Goal
Own Goal - Bengaluru FC : Mislav Komorski
8'
Off Target
Dimas Delgado finds himself in a shooting position from outside the box, he though fires that one well away from the goal post.
7'
Early game
The teams are not keeping possession too well early on in the game and losing the ball in the attempt to go upfield.
2'
First corner of the game
Rino Anto tries to cross in from the right flank but Robert Lalthlamuana successfully blocks it and the ball goes out for a corner. Not much damage was done in the process as the ball was cleared away by NorthEast United FC.
1'
Kick off
The hosts in blue, get us underway in the first period.
Toss
NorthEast United FC have won the toss and will attack from right to left in the first half.
National Anthem
The players and officials are out in the middle for National Anthem.
Hello and welcome to match 64. 2nd placed Bengaluru FC host 3rd placed NorthEast United FC. The hosts come into this on the back of their first loss of the season against Mumbai City FC. It was their first defeat in 19 league games, the longest unbeaten run for any side in the ISL. They had a poor outing, especially in the final third. They had 16 shots but only 1 was on target. Last seasons finalist would want to change that and must be hoping that loss was just one-off and not the start of a slide. Tonight's hosts have an upper hand against their visitors having won 2 out of the 3 games they have played against them and would like to make it 3 in 4. Coming to the visitors, they have had a good season so far and are on course to get into the semi-finals. They come into this one after an 87th-minute strike from Bartholomew Ogbeche sealed the winner against Chennaiyin FC. NorthEast United have collected 13 points away from home, the most any side has. A win here will take them 5 points clear of FC Goa who are 4th in the table and 6 clear of Jamshedpur FC who are on 5th. Can Bengaluru FC get back on top with a win or will NorthEast United hand Bengaluru FC their second loss on the trot? Join us in a while for the start of this exciting clash.