ISL 2017/18: Floodlight failure disrupts match between Bengaluru FC and NorthEast United at Sree Kanteerava Stadium

Bengaluru FC played host to NorthEast United FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru in today’s Indian Super League (ISL) fixture.

The hosts got off to a good start as they started dominating possession and creating the channels early in the game. NorthEast, on the other hand, looked a little subdued in the opening stages. Soon, Bengaluru took the lead through Juanan Gonzalez as early as in the 14th minute when the Spanish defender rose the highest and headed in an Edu Garcia freekick.

As NorthEast tried to find their way back into the match after the goal, the Bengaluru defence stood firm, not allowing the visitors any space whatsoever. They had found the momentum and were attacking with vigour at every opportunity.

However, their momentum was hindered when play was stopped due to a not-so-unusual incident.

The match had entered its 23rd minute when lights went off on one of the towers in the stadium. Play was stopped and the players were left stranded on the pitch while the technicians tried to fix the lights.

26' Play stops after technical issues with the floodlight. BEN 1-0 NEU#LetsFootball #HeroISL #BENNEU

— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) January 26, 2018

Notably, this was not the first time that an ISL match was interrupted due to a blackout. Back in 2014, a match between ATK and Chennaiyin FC was interrupted for 11 minutes thanks to a power outage at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.

The fans played their part but that was never going to be enough (Photo: Twitter)

Meanwhile, in Bengaluru, the crowd in the stadium were having their share of fun as they switched on flashlights from their mobile phones and started swaying them above their heads. Every bulb that got switched on one by one brought on huge cheers from the crowd.

Stoppage in play here at the Fortress as a floodlight goes off. Good effort from the supporters, who've got their flashlights out in an effort to restart play. 1-0. #BENNEU

— Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) January 26, 2018

The match was stopped for almost five minutes due to this incident and play was only resumed in the 28th minute which meant that a total of seven minutes were added on as injury time at the end of the first half.

NorthEast equalised through a Marcinho penalty late in the first minute of injury time at the end of first half. At the time of writing, though, Bengaluru had regained their lead after captain Sunil Chhetri produced a clinical finish.