Welcome to Sportstar's ISL 2020-21 highlights of the NorthEast United FC vs Bengaluru FC clash.
That brings us to the end of our ISL coverage for the day. We will be back tomorrow when Chennaiyin FC takes on bottom-placed Odisha FC. [ PREVIEW ]
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Until then, you can follow our entire ISL coverage here . Goodnight!
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Bengaluru FC interim head coach Naushad Moosa : "To tell you the truth, I am not happy. We could have done better. Both the goals were gifted. The way we played was much better than the last game. Again, every point counts now. I am still happy with the draw but we could have done much better."
[Eight day break now, how will you prepare the players?] "Firstly it's very important for me to give the players good rest because we played two close game in less than 48 hours. We will first relax and do some recovery training tomorrow and then have a day or two of rest, depending on what our doctor has to say. It's very important to keep the players motivated and ready for the next game. Kerala Blasters won its last game and will be confident. We will need to work more on our finishing now."
[On whether he has decided on his core starting XI] Right now, you saw my first XI. It's not a bad teamn. The way our boys played today, I don't have to think twice about having the same first XI. I can always continue with them. I did not bring in many changes since the team was doing well. Kristian (Opseth) seemed tired and is not used to the heat so I brought on Leon. Since Udanta has been off-colour, I preferred Leon, who really impressed me."
[On the pressure of being the interim head coach] It's too much. It's been very difficult for me for the last four-five days. But again, it was really nice to have all the senior players help me. I spoke to them one on one trying to get things out and find out what they really feel. The way they were confident...because I've been with reserve team and have shown results and they were confident I can. And the way they played against SC East Bengal and now the way they were keeping the ball. We have nine games. From here, will take all the positives and move forward."
Bengaluru FC's Erik Paartalu : "Both teams will probably be disappointed to not come away with a win. We had some chances in the first half that we could have converted. It wasn't a loss for us so thats a positive.
[On the difference in training and tactics under coach Moosa] "It's fresh ideas from Moosa and the guys. We needed to refresh for a couple of weeks. It's not easy being in bubble. We have a new lease of life playing under Moosa and a different way of playing. We're trying to move the ball quicker and are trying to enjoy our football again. We're not as sort of restricted and relying on set-plays as much as we have been in the past. It's a building phase. There's half a season to go and we're not giving up yet.
[On the upcoming game against Kerala Blasters FC] "Every team here from the eighth to the third is in a fighting posotion for the top-four. Every game is important. We have eight days to recover. We'll take the point from today and move on."
NorthEast United FC's Dylan Fox : "I feel like we'll just take a draw today after last week's performance. We wanted the three points and we'll look for that next week. We're going to push for three points every game. We aim to make it to the top-4. We need to stick to our structure and work hard."
[On playing without a set striker] "It was a little difficult today but happy with the performance. We can adapt and played well. Suhair was good."
[On not having the coach on the touchline] "It's always difficult, you know. We always want him there. He's pushing us every game and towards the three points."
Over to the post-match quotes now.
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Rahul Bheke's 59th minute goal sees Bengaluru FC come from behind to draw 1-1 with NorthEast United FC. The result snaps Bengaluru's four-match losing streak, but extends both teams' winless run.
NorthEast United is now winless in seven matches, while Bengaluru has dropped points in its last five games. Both clubs retain their spot on the points table - Bengaluru in sixth and NorthEast in seventh.
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FULL-TIME! NorthEast United FC draws 1-1 with Bengaluru FC.
90+4' Lambot is clutching his groin and is flat on the pitch.
90+3' Machado's cross is cleared for a corner. Set-piece opportunity for NEUFC!
90+2' Gallego goes on a surging run into the final third but loses his footing at the edge of the box. Could have been a chance there for NEUFC.
90' Five minutes of added time to be played.
88' Excellent tackle from Leon. He tracks back extremely well to win the ball off Machado. A shouting match ensues and an official on the NEUFC bench is booked.
87' Second change for NorthEast United as Suhair is replaced by Mashoor Shereef.
87' Cleitonnnnnn...his shot swerves off target. Powerful shot from the Brazilian.
86' Lambot's roll back to Gumreet nearly offers Chhetri a chance!
83' Bheke nearly nets his second of the evening! Dimas' corner from the right finds Bheke in the centre of the box but his shot zooms above the crossbar.
81' Dimas curls a cross in towards the back post but Gurmeet makes no mistake this time around.
80' Second change for Bengaluru as Leon Augustin comes on for Opseth.
76' Off we go for the drinks break. The first five minutes right after the break have more often that not led to goals...will we see one today too?
74' Khabra limps off the pitch clutching his hamstring and is replaced by Amay Morajkar.
72' Walking a thin rope here. Dimas gets a foul on Gallego and NEUFC is awarded a free-kick. Dimas is furious with the decision and throws his hands in the air and yells at the referee, but manages to escape a booking.
69' Dimas' corner from the left evades Chhetri's head by merely two inches.
66' Ninthoi is in the thick of things right away as he curls in a dangerous cross that is headed away for a corner by Khabra.
64' First change of the evening: Rochharzela is replaced by Ninthoinganba Meetei. The teenager, now 19, had played for India in the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
59' Chhetri nearly scores....but at the wrong end! He tries to clear Gallego's free-kick but nearly puts it into his own net.
54'
The goal has spurred on Bengaluru FC and the men in white are storming ahead into the final third.
51' This is only Bheke's second goal since he struck the ISL title-winning header for Bengaluru FC in 2019.
49' BHEKE SCORES FOR BENGALURU! The goal comes from a set-piece as Dimas releases Bheke down the right. The defender strides towards the box, cuts past two defenders, and let's one rip from 25-odd yards out. It appears to be a regulation save for Gurmeet but he makes an absolute mess of it and the ball sneaks into the net.
46' Bright start to the second half from NorthEast United! Two chances within a minute...but both are waived offside.
45' KICK OFF!
And the second half gets underway.
Luis Machado's third goal of the season sees NorthEast United FC lead 1-0 against Bengaluru at the end of the first half. Gerard Nus' side has been very strong in transitional play and could have been 2-0 up if Suhair had not missed a sitter in the 35th minute.
Bengaluru had its chances to score, the best of which came in added time when Cleiton forced a fantastic from Gurmeet. Parag has been Bengaluru's best player so far.
HALF-TIME! NorthEast United FC leads 1-0.
45+2' What a phenomenal save from Gurmeet! Bheke's trademark long throw-in is flicked on by Paartalu towards Cleiton. The Brazilian fires a powerful half-volley that is saved by Gurmeet on the goal-line.
45' Three minutes to be added on. Can Bengaluru claw one back?
42' Parag has a go from distance...but it swerves off target.
39'
Bengaluru is doing well to create chances in the final third, but is looking shaky on the counter.
35' Suhair misses a sitter! Rochharzela plays an inch-perfect cross for Suhair at the far post and all he has to do is nod it into goal.... but he makes a mess of it and loops his header past the goal. What a golden opportunity for NorthEast.
32' Bengaluru with a fine chance to equalise after the water break! Parag fires a fine cross toward Cleiton, but the Brazilian can't get to the ball.
29' A clumsy challenge, that. Paartalu becomes the first player to be booked after making a poor tackle on Lalengmawia.
27' Machado scores for NorthEast United! Dimas loses the ball in midfield and Gallego strides into the box with Suhair on the right and Macahdo on the left. Gallego appears to have a crack on goal but completely scuffs his shot and the ball somehow lands perfectly for Machado. The Portuguese makes no mistake to beat Gurpreet and give his side the lead.
24' First shot on target! Khabra floats a cross from the left and Opseth gets ahead of Fox to head it, but it is a regulation save for Gurmeet.
20'
Bengaluru has seen more of the ball in the opening 20 minutes and shown a lot of intent up front. NorthEast United has made a few forays into the attacking third, but nothing special so far. Neither side has managed a shot yet.
17' Pratik is cautioned by the referee for a poor high boot challenge. He nearly clipped Suhair's head there!
16' Brilliant work from Parag, who is making just his second start in the ISL. The youngster plays a give and go with Khabra and then threads a lovely low cross for Opseth. Fox, though, clears the danger before Opseth can connect.
13' Ouch! Rochharzela gets his head taped after Pratilk elbows him while trying to win a header.
10' Gallego's corner is cleared by Paartalu and a lob is played into the box from the rebound but Suhair's header is off target. Dimas appears to be in a spot of bother here...he's clutching his lower back in pain.
7' Ashutosh runs into Chhetri....and wins a free-kick? Strange call from the ref there.
5' How often have we seen this from Bengaluru? Khabra whips in a looping cross from the right and Chhetri is at the end of it. But the BFC skipper fouls Ashutosh while trying to win the header.
3' Opseth tries and tries and tries, but can't make room to get a shot off from the edge of the box.
2' NorthEast United has made a last-minute change as Lalengmawia replaces Fanai in the starting XI. Fanai suffered an injury during training.
1' KICK OFF! Bengaluru attacking from right to left.
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7:25pm: The players are out in the middle. NorthEast United in its red kits, while Bengaluru dons its white away jersey.
7:20pm: NorthEast United has also struggled in terms of goals, having scored only four in the last five games. And two of those goals have come from the Belgian centre-back Benjamin Lambot.
7:10pm: A stat that you won't often associate with Bengaluru - The team has let in more goals (13) than it has scored (12) so far in the Indian Super League. BFC has also not scored in three of its last four games, all of which have ended in defeat.
7pm: Naushad Moosa is still coming to terms with the nature of his promotion after Carles Cuadrat's sacking last week. "You won't believe me, but it's been three sleepless nights. It's not been easy for me," he says.
While he has a gargantuan task at hand, he offers path for a new beginning at Bengaluru. READ|
6:50pm: Bengaluru FC interim head coach Naushad Moosa also makes three changes as Khabra and Pratik return to the XI. Suresh, who has been a workhorse for BFC, has been benched along with Udanta. Norwegian striker Opseth gets another start.
IN : Pratik Choudhary, Harmanjot Khabra, Kristian Opseth OUT: Ajith Kumar, Suresh Wangjam, Udanta Singh
6:45pm: Three changes for NorthEast United FC as goalkeeper Gurmeet returns to the starting XI. Defender Dylan Fox is back, while Rochharzela replaces Sylla.
IN: Gurmeet, Dylan Fox, Rochharzela, OUT: Subhasish Roy, Mashoor Shereef, Idrissa Sylla
6:30pm: Team news!
NorthEast United FC XI: Gurmeet (GK), Gurjinder Kumar, Ashutosh Mehta, Dylan Fox, Benjamin Lambot, Khassa Camara, Rochharzela, Federico Gallego, Lalengmawia, Suhair Vadakkepeedika, Luis Machado.
Bengaluru FC XI: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (GK), Rahul Bheke, Pratik Chaudhari, Juanan, Parag Srivas, Cleiton Silva, Harmanjot Khabra, Erik Paartalu, Dimas Delgado, Kristian Opseth, Sunil Chhetri.
6:15pm: Podcast: From Mumbai City and ATK Mohun Bagan's dominance to Carles Cuadrat's sacking at Bengaluru FC, our reporters Aashin Prasad and Shyam Vasudevan talk all things ISL in our latest episode of the Full Time Show. Listen in:
6pm: How will the two sides line up today? Here's our predicted line-ups -
NorthEast United FC predicted XI (4-3-3)
Gurmeet, Ashutosh Mehta, Benjamin Lambot, Dylan Fox, Gurjinder Kumar, Khassa Camara, Lalengmawia, Ninthoinganba Meetei, Federico Gallego, Luis Machado; Suhair V. P.
Bengaluru FC predicted XI (4-3-3)
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu; Namgyal Bhutia, Juanan, Rahul Bheke, Ajith Kumar; Erik Paartalu, Dimas Delgado, Suresh Wangjam; Cleiton Silva, Kristian Opseth, Sunil Chhetri
5:45pm: Here's our preview for today's clash -
Bengaluru FC will aim to halt its winless run in the Indian Super League when it takes on North East United FC in Vasco on Tuesday. The club has gone six matches without a win, and its defeat against SC East Bengal extended its losing streak to four matches. Known to be a good team, the Blues are under pressure; head coach Carles Cuadrat was sacked last week, and interim coach Naushad Moosa is yet to taste victory.
The team has let in more goals (13) than it has scored (12) so far in the Indian Super League. Although it had numerous shots on target, the only goal it scored in its last four games was against Mumbai City FC, via a penalty. There will also be pressure to deliver against a team it has traditionally done well against – five wins, three draws, and one loss.
'Difficult time'
“It has been a difficult time for everyone,” Bengaluru FC head coach Moosa said ahead of the contest.
“For the players and everyone involved with the club, it has not been easy. We need to overcome this form and we are working on it. The players are motivated, and I am expecting them to do better against North East United. They aren’t a bad team at all, and their position on the table (seventh) is not a reflection of their performances. They have the ability to fight back and we cannot take them lightly,” Moosa said.
No new coach bounce for BFC, but Moosa offers path for a new beginning
The Highlanders are also coming off a defeat; they went down 4-2 against Hyderabad FC last Friday. The main concern for them would be the inconsistency of their attack: they have scored only four goals in their last five matches, and will hope the absence of their main striker – Kwesi Appiah – doesn’t continue to hurt them.
“We know that Bengaluru have lost four games [in a row], but every game is new and we have to respect them,” North East United assistant coach Alison Kharsyntiew said.
“I’m sure that the players will give their best [on Tuesday]. Whatever the outcome, we know our duty. We have to forget the last match, focus on the next match and put in 100 per cent to win... No matter if we play against the best team or not, we have to be ready. We are ready for any possible attack from them,” he said.
The two sides played out a 2-2 draw the last time they met, earlier this season.
5:30pm: Bengaluru FC, reeling from four consecutive losses, will look to bounce back when it takes on NorthEast United FC in the Indian Super League on Tuesday.
NorthEast United is also enduring a tough period as the club has not won in six games.
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Follow Sportstar's full coverage (Latest news, Interviews, Features, Points table, Quiz, Videos) of ISL 2020-21 .
The seventh edition of the Indian Super League got underway inside a bio-bubble in Goa on November 20.
The tournament, spanning over four months, will see 11 teams play each other in a league and playoff format across three venues. Following the inclusion of SC East Bengal, this season will feature 115 games, up from 95 last season.
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