Bengaluru, February 22 – Bengaluru FC hosted NorthEast United in a fiercely contested match at the Kanteerava Stadium on Sunday. Braian Sanchez scored in the first half, giving Bengaluru FC an early lead, but Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia made a significant impact, coming off the bench to equalize in the second half for NorthEast United FC.
With Rahul Bheke absent from the squad, the responsibility of leading the team and the defense fell on Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. The experienced goalkeeper proved his worth with a crucial save in the early minutes, keeping NorthEast United at bay.
At the 20th minute, it was Braian Sanchez's turn to put his team ahead. Bengaluru FC's number 10 made a dazzling run through the midfield, before firing a low shot to the goalkeeper's left, and scoring.
In the 37th minute, NorthEast United's Gogoi was cautioned for a reckless tackle on Suresh, leaving him on the ground near his own box. Ryan Williams, number 7, closed out the first half with some impressive skill and control near the box, but failed to double Bengaluru FC's lead going into halftime.
In the second half, with NorthEast United chasing the game, they came close with a header in the 60th minute, but captain Gurpreet Singh Sandhu once again shut down the opposition with a brilliant reflex save.
However, Bengaluru FC and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu could not keep NorthEast United out for long, as their substitute, Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia, scored in the 68th minute to bring the game back to level terms.
With time running out, both sides played an intense game of football, but in the end, neither could find a winner, and the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
