Indian Player Ratings: Provat Lakra & Rowllin Borges the heroes as NorthEast hold Bengaluru

The game saw multiple missed chances by both teams.

It was another late twist in the tale as Bengaluru FC grinded out a point from the clutches of defeat against NorthEast United FC at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium on Wednesday evening. The visitors held their nerves right until the last few minutes and it paid dividends as they maintain their unbeaten run intact in the Indian Super League season so far.

After Federico Gallego’s 64th minute opener, NorthEast United looked on course to grab all three points. However, Bengaluru FC subbed on the ‘Bhutanese Ronaldo’ in Chencho Gyeltsen who ruined NEUFC’s hopes right at the dying minutes of the game scoring via a bicycle kick with excellent technique.

 

 

 

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Watch- NorthEast United 1-1 Bengaluru FC

Here are how the Indian players performed in the game.

NorthEast United FC

Pawan Kumar- 6.0

Looked little bit sloppy, low in confidence and nervous early on in the game. He almost made an early gaffe against a quickly advancing Sunil Chhetri, however, got away luckily. In the second half, he denied Erik Paartalu's shot with a great fell stretch save. Couldn’t do much to prevent Chencho’s stylish injury time leveller. 

Provat Lakra- 7.0

Making his second consecutive start of the season, Lakra displayed enough composure and stability in his game. The right-back did well to keep the dangerous overlapping runs of Nishu Kumar at bay and foiled Bengaluru’s attempts to create scoring opportunities. Had to be taken off after the 70th minute as he suffered a terrible looking ankle sprain.

Rowllin Borges- 7.0

Marshalled the midfield pretty well alongside Jose Leudo, displaying great work-rate on a very important night. The India international was excellent in making those defensive tackles and interceptions pushing the NorthEast side forward with a positive approach.

Robert Lalthlamuana- 6.0

Put in a hard shift against a quality team. Robert did very well to keep a pacy and witty Udanta Singh quiet tonight as he closed in on him every time with the winger feeling supportless on the right flank.

Redeem Tlang- 6.5

Another top class performance. Redeem’s ability to read the game in his own terms makes him stand out of the crowd on many occasions and tonight too, he showed excellent technique and implementation, showcasing his brilliance against a top opponent. Subbed off in the 77th minute.

Lalthathanga Khawlhring- 6.5

Game after game, this lad only gets going better and better. The Mizo youngster displayed an excellent presence of mind, creating a few good chances early on. His anticipation of the situation despite such a raw age is so eye-catching and he can only improve from here on. 

Substitutions

Reagan Singh- N/A

Like for like swap. Came in for an injured Provat Lakra. Tried his best to steady the NorthEast United defense with an attempt to cling on to the one-goal lead. Managed to win a few physical duels for the ball with Sunil Chhetri.

Gurwinder Singh- N/A

Came on for Redeem Tlang. A tactical substitution to bolster the defense even more as NEUFC tried to see themselves past the remaining of the minutes after having broken the deadlock in the mid-second half.

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Bengaluru FC

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu- 6.0

Wasn’t put to test too often as both the teams duelled the battle in the midfield. Maintained perfect coordination with the two centre backs in Serran and Juanan at the back of the Bengaluru build-up. However, Sandhu’s effort couldn’t keep Federico Gallego’s shot off target. Went to the referee’s books as well.

Rahul Bheke- 6.5

The most talked about man in the last few days for his on-field heroics, Rahul Bheke put in a hard night’s shift in Guwahati on Wednesday evening, The right-back has found a new rhythm to his style of play, playing more as a wide back and assisting Udanta Singh with his play-ons or by attempting those overlapping runs.

Harmanjot Singh Khabra- 6.5

The lanky yet strongly built character was a real presence in the midfield for Bengaluru as he took on the likes of Leudo and Puitea who tried to press forward. Khabra was very vocal with his instructions to his teammates while guarding set-pieces and combined well alongside Dimas Delgado and Xisco to run the midfield show.

Sunil Chhetri- 6.5

The Indian star player put in a fine shift tonight, having a go at every opportunity he could sniff. The forward almost forced United custodian into making a howler in the first half, but the ball went out of play. He assisted Chencho for Bengaluru’s injury-time leveller.

Udanta Singh- 6.0

Was a live wire as usual. The Manipuri winger tried his best to provide his team with an opening, but couldn’t manage to do so. Looked very skilful with the ball in his feet.

Nishu Kumar- 6.5

Likewise his partner in the other flank, the left back too got into advanced positions very frequently. He fed in some vital crosses inside the opposition box. Nishu also made sure he did his defensive responsibilities with equal promise, checking Redeem Tlang at times.

Substitutions

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Kean Lewis- N/A

Came on for Nishu Kumar in the 87th minute. Inside the injury time, he floated in a brilliant cross which was headed in by Chhetri to keep it in play thereby feeding Chencho for his swash-buckling bicycle kick as Bengaluru drew 1-1.