NorthEast United (NEUFC) earned a hard-earned point after a 2-2 draw in the match against Kerala Blasters in the Indian Super League (ISL) at the GMC Athletic Stadium in Bambolim on Thursday.
Blasters took a 2-0 lead at the halfway mark of the contest thanks to goals from Sergio Cidoncha and Gary Hooper but NEUFC pegged them back in the second half through Kwesi Appiah and Idrissa Sylla.
Here are the talking points from the game.
Squandered opportunities
Both teams could have gone home with all three points if not for the missed opportunities. Before scoring from the penalty, Blasters striker Gary Hooper blazed a side-foot effort over the bar from little over six yards out with only the 'keeper to beat. After halving the deficit, NorthEast's Kwesi Appiah failed to convert his spot kick in the 66th minute to level the scores.
Refereeing under the scanner
While the officiating in the ISL has remained controversy-free this season, referee Ranjit Baksi made several contentious decisions over the course of the ninety minutes at the GMC Athletic Stadium. Rakesh Pradhan appeared to nick the ball off Lalthathanga Khawlhring's feet inside the box, but the match official pointed to the spot from which Hooper scored.
In the second half, NorthEast had a shout for a foul inside the Blasters' 18-yard area when Bakary Kone's foot struck the head of Federico Gallego but the foul went in favour of the defending team. Moments later, the referee awarded a penalty to NEUFC for what seemed an innocuous challenge by Jessel Carneiro on Lalengmawia.
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NEUFC shows attacking potency
NorthEast was the lowest goal-scorers (14) in the division last season as it finished ninth on the back of a 14-game winless run. Early indications suggest, the Highlanders, under Gerard Nus, look a side transformed at both ends of the pitch.
In the first game against Mumbai City FC, it executed its defensive approach with discipline and grit to take home all three points with a 1-0 win. On Thursday, it fell behind to two goals before half-time. It mounted a superb comeback in the second period and was unlucky to end the game with a solitary point. Winger Ninthoinganba Meetei had another stellar outing on the wings, defender Dylan Fox provided aerial strength at both ends of the pitch and the striking options - Appiah and Sylla - have added more options in attack.
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