That's all we have from this contest. A hard-fought game ended on level terms. On Tuesday, Jamshedpur FC will kick-start their campaign by hosting Odisha FC. Do join us at 1930 IST for all the action. Cheers!
Awards
The Club Award is shared as the match ended in a draw. Asamoah Gyan is given the Limitless Player of the Match Award. Nishu Kumar collects the ISL Emerging Player of the Match Award and Raphael Augusto bags the Hero of the Match Award.
No winner tonight!
A goalless draw! Nothing to separate between these two sides. Bengaluru FC were going hammer and tongs at the start but failed to create any clear-cut chances. NorthEast United FC were late to pick up but once they got going, we witnessed plenty of moves created by them. Martin Chaves spilled a chance in the 35th minute from close range to put the visiting team into the lead. The first half ended on even terms but it promised goals in the next 45. Although it didn't come. The star striker from Ghana, Asamoah Gyan came the closest in the 52nd minute to open the account of the Highlanders but his left-footed attempt brushed past the crossbar. The visiting side was building good pressure and playing with intensity but the final touches were lacking. Same was the case with the defending champions. Raphael Augusto, Ashique Kuruniyan and Udanta Singh were in the thick of things but none of their creativity materialized into a goal. NorthEast United FC won't be too disappointed with the outcome as they take one point from Bengaluru FC's den.
90'
Full Time!
And it ends in a stalemate! Bengaluru FC 0-0 NorthEast United FC!
90'
Bicycle kick!
But off-target! The ball has been lobbed up into the area, Sunil Chhetri goes for the bicycle kick but ends up giving away a free-kick as his foot is too high and it hits the defender along with the ball.
90'
Stoppage time!
0-0 and 4 minutes have been added on.
90'
Substitution Bengaluru FC!
Kean Lewis is on for Manuel Onwu.
90'
Substitution
Substitution - Bengaluru FC (In: KEAN, Out: M.ONWU)
89'
Substitution NorthEast United FC!
Asamoah Gyan, the star man for NorthEast United FC, goes off and Maximiliano Barreiro comes in.
89'
Substitution
Substitution - NorthEast United FC (In: MAXI BARREIRO, Out: A.GYAN)
89'
Free-kick goes out!
Martin Chaves takes the free-kick, he lofts it inside the box. The knock-on from the attacker goes straight for a goal kick.
85'
Will it end 0-0?
Last 5 minutes of regulation time remains with both sides looking tired and out of ideas. Will something give way for a late winner?
83'
Second substitution for NorthEast United FC!
Ninthoi comes in for Nikhil Kadam.
83'
Substitution
Substitution - NorthEast United FC (In: KH NINTHOI, Out: NIKHIL)
81'
Substitution for Bengaluru FC!
Harmanjot Khabra is replaced by Eugeneson Lyngdoh.
81'
Substitution
Substitution - Bengaluru FC (In: LYNGDOH, Out: KHABRA)
78'
Dimas Delgado almost does something!
Dimas collects the ball on the edge of the area after a deflection off the foot of the defender. He drops his shoulder and beats the defender marking him. Dimas gets into the box and rather than shooting, looks for his skipper Sunil Chhetri. He does not find him and NorthEast United clear it.
75'
Good work by Bengaluru FC!
Nishu Kumar and Udanta Singh combine for Bengaluru down the right flank. Udanta Singh does well to beat the two defenders marking him and puts in a cross. NorthEast United do well to deal with the threat and clear it away.
73'
First substitution of the game!
Lalthathanga Khawlhring comes off and Milan Singh comes on for him.
73'
Substitution
Substitution - NorthEast United FC (In: MILAN, Out: PUITEA)
69'
Cross cleared away!
Bengaluru FC step on the gas. Udanta Singh goes for a very good run down the right flank and gives it to Raphael Augusto who crosses it. The ball is cleared by the defenders.
66'
First booking of the game!
And it is for time-wasting! Subhasish Roy has taken a very long time to take the goal kick and the referee has penalized him with a yellow card.
66'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - NorthEast United FC : ROY
65'
Great save by Subhasish Roy!
Dimas Delgado takes a free-kick from the left flank, he whips it in and it is cleared by the NorthEast United defenders. It drops near the edge of the area for Nishu Kumar. He connects beautifully with his left foot and hits a ferocious volley. Subhasish Roy jumps to his right and sticks out a strong right hand to keep it out. Wonderful goalkeeping!
62'
Cross evades everyone!
Nishu Kumar whips in a very good cross from the right flank, it evades everyone as no one can reach it.
61'
Heavens have opened up!
It is pouring down in Bengaluru and this can affect the game as the ball will travel very fast across the surface.
57'
Bengaluru FC struggling!
The hosts are not able to get into their usual attacking stride and it looks like some substitutions will be needed to freshen things up.
53'
Martin Chaves on fire!
Martin is creating all the chances for the Highlanders and it looks like if a spark is required to break the deadlock, it will be provided by him.
52'
Off the post!
Asamoah Gyan hits the crossbar! Martin Chaves carries the ball down the left flank, there are 2 to 3 players around him. He does well to loft a pass towards Gyan who curves one with his left foot but the ball hits the post and goes for a goal kick.
48'
NorthEast United FC attack!
A cross from Nikhil Kadam as he attacks down the left flank but Gurpreet Singh Sandhu stands tall and collects it.
46'
Chance created early on!
Raphael Augusto plays a through ball again down the right flank but Udanta Singh can't get to it and the keeper collects it after coming off his line.
46'
Let's go!
The second half is underway as NorthEast United FC start off.
Advantage hosts?
The game started in a quiet manner with the first 20 minutes passing by without much action. Raphael Augusto for Bengaluru kept on pulling the string in midfield and the runs from the right flank kept the Highlanders busy at the start. But once NorthEast United got their first shot on target, the game started to move. Udanta missed a huge chance to put Bengaluru FC ahead. The visitors then had a chance for themselves after some shambolic defending by Bengaluru FC in their own penalty area. Bengaluru are lucky not to be behind as Martin Chaves slashed wide from the 6-yard mark. Both teams have had chances and an exciting second half awaits!
45'
Half-time!
And the teams go into the dressing rooms with the score still at 0-0.
43'
Shot on target by Chhetri!
And he is furious!!! Is that a handball? Nishu Kumar whips in a cross from the right flank. It is semi-cleared by the NorthEast United defender and then it goes straight to Chhetri at the left-hand side. Sunil fires it at goal but the defender stands strong and clears it off the near post. Chhetri thinks it is a handball and is furious but replays show that it hit the body of Heerings Kai on the goal line before hitting the pole and going away.
36'
Ball goes into the net!
But offside signalled! The ball is lofted into the area from the left flank, Asamoah Gyan has a shot at goal and it flies into the net but the assistant has ruled it out for offside.
35'
Trouble created by Bengaluru for themselves!
Martin Chaves again cuts in from the left, he has a shot but it is blocked by the defender. The ball lobs up in the air and the Bengaluru defenders look to clear it. They fail to do so and the ball keeps on juggling inside the area. Redeem Tlang gets to it and has a shot but Gurpreet Singh Sandhu stops it with his leg. Martin Chaves rushes in and has a slash but the ball goes wide from within the 6-yard box. Poor defending from Bengaluru FC.
33'
Foul near the halfway line!
Rahul Bheke brings down Martin Chaves on the left flank near the halfway line. Nothing too malicious about that.
30'
Training ground corner!
Almost pays off for Bengaluru! Dimas Delgado floats in a corner at the edge of the box where Ashique Kuruniyan was positioned. He goes for the volley but the ball is a little bit behind him to attempt that. He miscues it and the ball goes over the bar.
28'
Huge chance for Udanta!
Raphael Augusto is the chief playmaker again in the midfield. He plays a beautiful through ball down the right flank for Udanta Singh, who has all the time in the world to aim but shoots it wide of the target.
26'
Calm before the storm?
A very calm game up until now with Bengaluru FC taking the initiative to attack and NorthEast United FC sitting back for the counter.
24'
Foul!
Martin Chaves passes the ball towards the right wing and seeing Ashique Kuruniyan going for it, he gives him a shoulder nudge. The referee immediately calls for foul.
21'
First shot on target!
And it is against the run of play by NorthEast United FC! Martin Chaves makes room for himself as he cuts in from the left. He tries to curl it in at the far corner with his right foot but Gurpreet Singh Sandhu dives full stretch to his left and pushes it away.
19'
Close again!
Rahul Bheke throws it in long into the box, the NorthEast United defenders clear it. A long shot follows but it is blocked and goes to Sunil Chhetri at the edge of the box. He tries a shot with the outside of his boot but it goes wide.
17'
Another chance for Bengaluru!
This time Ashique Kuruniyan is set free down the left flank, he has a shot with his left foot but the ball goes wide of the far pole. Bengaluru in complete control!
13'
Good chance wasted!
Raphael Augusto finds himself in the middle with the ball at his feet, he takes a 360-degree turn to beat his man and puts in a through ball for Manuel Onwu. However, Reagan Singh stuck with his man and halted the attack. In the end, Manuel tries to chip it in the middle but it is cleared.
12'
Corner wasted by Bengaluru FC!
Dimas Delgado takes the corner but it goes over everyone and a goal kick results!
9'
Hosts in complete control!
Almost 10 minutes have gone by and NorthEast United FC have failed to create anything so far with Bengaluru controlling the proceedings.
7'
Foul!
First foul of the game as Udanta Singh brings down Rakesh Pradhan. Some respite for the visitors.
5'
Good attack by Bengaluru FC!
Udanta Singh puts in a through ball to the right side, Raphael Augusto whips in a low cross but too close to the keeper and it is collected by him.
4'
First corner of the game!
Dimas Delgado floats it in, Rahul Bheke rises the highest but his header is off target.
2'
Almost through early on!
Sunil Chhetri puts in a through ball towards the right hand side but it is slightly heavy for Udanta Singh and it is collected by the goalkeeper.
1'
Kick-Off!
Bengaluru FC get us underway!
Toss!
NorthEast United FC win the toss and will attack from left to right in the first half.
National Anthem!
The Bengaluru FC and NorthEast United FC players make their way out for the National Anthem!
NorthEast United FC Playing XI
Subhasish Roy (GK), Asamoah Gyan, Jose Leudo (C), Martin Chaves, Reagan Singh, Heerings Kai, Mislav Komorski, Redeem Tlang, Nikhil Kadam, Lalthathanga Khawlhring, Rakesh Pradhan.
There has been plenty of build-up to this game and now it has finally arrived. Bengaluru FC take on NorthEast United FC in their backyard and everyone is expecting this game to be a cracker. Bengaluru FC, being the defending champions, will be going into this game with just one objective on their mind - win! They battered NorthEast United in the second leg of the semi-finals last year but they will not underestimate them knowing that they were defeated in the first leg. The visitors have been deprived of the services of Bartholomew Ogbeche as he joined Kerala Blasters along with former NorthEast United coach Eelco Schattorie. Rowllin Borges has also departed which might leave them a little light in the midfield department. However, they have acquired the services of highly-rated striker Asamoah Gyan among others. Maximiliano Barreiro and Federico Gallego are other star names who have joined the Guwahati-based side this season. As for the hosts, they possess the might of Indian skipper Sunil Chhetri who can light up games with his magical feet. They also have other Indian international players playing for them like last year's Golden Glove winner, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Ashique Kuruniyan, Rahul Bheke and Udanta. They have acquired the services of Raphael Augusto who could prove to be the lynchpin that a side like Bengaluru FC would need. The Highlanders, after some major changes in the dugout and in the squad, will be looking to put in a tough test in front of a Bengaluru side who are littered with star names all over the pitch. What will happen in this exciting match? Join us for all the coverage to find out!