Published on Oct 30: Guwahati: NorthEast United FC were left heartbroken as Bengaluru FC scored a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser to hold the Highlanders to a 1-1 draw in their fourth Indian Super League (ISL) match of the season at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium here on Thursday.
Jithin M.S. put the hosts ahead in the 15th minute, and NorthEast United looked set to secure all three points until Vinith Venkatesh struck in the 90+3rd minute to rescue a point for Bengaluru and silence the home crowd.
A pleasant evening, following light drizzle earlier in the day that brought down the mercury, provided favourable conditions for the encounter. A good turnout of spectators added to the atmosphere at the stadium.
The Highlanders started with attacking intent, taking the game to their opponents from the opening whistle and dominating the early exchanges. Just three minutes into the match, Ethyan Gonzalez found Jithin on the right, and the winger sent a low cross into the box for Alaaeddine Ajaraie. The forward’s effort, however, was blocked by the Bengaluru defence.
NorthEast United continued to threaten, and their attacking combinations soon produced the breakthrough. In the 15th minute, a swift counter-attack caught Bengaluru on the back foot. Alaaeddine and Ethyan combined with Jithin in a move that sliced through the opposition defence, allowing the winger to apply the finishing touch and put the Highlanders ahead.
The hosts went in search of a second goal and came close again six minutes later. Jithin released Ethyan with a perfectly weighted through ball, and the Spaniard cleverly backheeled it into Alaaeddine’s path. The forward’s subsequent shot, however, sailed over the crossbar.
NorthEast United went into the half-time break with a deserved 1-0 lead, having combined attacking flair with a disciplined defensive display.
The Highlanders resumed the second half on the front foot. Within two minutes of the restart, Ethyan won possession in midfield and released Jithin, who returned the ball into the box for the Spaniard. Ethyan’s attempt was once again blocked by the Bengaluru defence.
Parthib Gogoi, who replaced Jithin in the 67th minute, immediately added pace and width to the hosts’ attack. Two minutes later, he switched play to Alaaeddine, who released Antonio Moyano down the wing, but the resulting cross was blocked.
Ethyan and Alaaeddine combined again in the 81st minute, with the latter sending the ball back into the box for the Spaniard. Ethyan managed to get his shot away, only for the Bengaluru defence to produce another timely block.
Bengaluru, meanwhile, gradually increased the pressure, pushing forward and spending much of the second half in the NorthEast United half. Their sustained attacks tested the home side’s defensive resolve, but the Highlanders’ backline, marshalled by goalkeeper Gurmeet Singh, held firm for most of the contest.
However, the visitors refused to give up. Vinith first missed the target from the centre of the box after being set up by Monirul Molla, but he made no mistake moments later.
Deep into stoppage time, Gurmeet collided with Eneko Satrustegui and spilled the ball, allowing Sunil Chhetri, who had come on as a substitute a few minutes earlier, to seize the opportunity. Chhetri picked out Vinith inside the box, and the midfielder calmly slotted the ball into the bottom-left corner to make it 1-1.
NEUFC still top of the points table with 8 points from four games while Bengaluru FC came to second spot with seven points from three outings.
PHOTO CAPTION: Nikhil Barla (left) of North East United FC trying to stop Borja Martínez during the match.