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Bengaluru FC reclaimed top spot in the Indian Super League with a 2-1 home win against a battling NorthEast United at the Kanteerava Stadium in Bangalore. In the midst of a busy week with their AFC commitments in the way, the Blues weren't at their best, but did enough to overcome a dogged performance from the Highlanders who made a good fist of it. In the end, Sunil Chhetri's goal in the second half proved decisive after the two teams went into the half deadlocked at 1-1.
Here's what stood out from the game:
#1 Power failure
No, not from any of the players, but at the Kanteerava Stadium.
Midway through the first half, one of the floodlights at the stadium stopped functioning leading to a temporary hold-up of play.
Well, it was actually in excess of a five-minute stoppage. The game was just about getting into a nice rhythm when this rather unexpected hindrance led to a stoppage.
The officials and stadium authorities eventually got it sorted out and it led to seven minutes being added on as stoppage time at the end of the first half.
#2 No doubts about the penalty
Was it a penalty? Was it too soft of a penalty?
These have been some of the common reactions to some of the penalty decisions thus far in this season's ISL. The referees have come in for some stick.
However, there can be no doubt about the one given today. It seemed innocuous at first, but it was blatant.
Subhasish Bose went to ground while trying to prevent Seiminlen Doungel from foraying into the penalty box. As he attempted a slide tackle though, his arm struck the ball and took it away from Doungel's feet. Clear handball.
Marcinho stepped up for the Highlanders and dispatched perhaps one of the best penalties taken this season to put his team on level pegging.
#3 Keepers called into action
Both TP Rehenesh and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu made good saves today to keep the opposition out.
Almost minutes after they scored the first, Bengaluru almost doubled their lead through Chhetri, but Rehenesh made a smart save with his feet to keep him out. It was a very good save considering Chhetri didn't make good contact with it and the shot even took a deflection off Udanta Singh on the way.
Sandhu made a terrific save of his own using the entirety of his large frame. Doungel who has been in good form recently let rip a left-footed effort that was goal-bound in the 33rd minute. Sandhu made a diving save to his left, fully outstretched, to keep that one out.
The Bengaluru custodian was also tested late from corners by NorthEast, but he managed to stay solid to help his team to the win.
#4 One touch, two touch, goal
That's how Bengaluru got their second through captain Chhetri early in the second half; the helping touches though came from the NorthEast defence.
Harmanjot Khabra's cross in from the right was a good one, but it should have been a regulation clearance for NorthEast as they had two defenders in position to deal with it.
Sambinha however, completely missed it, managing only a feathery connection with a ball. Nirmal Chettri who was behind him was completely put off by his centre-back's miss and was left in an awkward position as the ball thudded off his thigh and ballooned over, falling conveniently to Sunil Chhetri who was left with an easy finish.
Huge helping hand from the visitors that undid a lot of the good work they'd done in the first half to get back to parity.
#5 NorthEast refuse to go away
After Juan Antonio opened the scoring for Bengaluru with a headed goal in the 14th minute, it looked like the floodgates would open for the home side.
Immediately they went close and almost scored a second through captain Sunil Chhetri and they seemed to have picked up the pace.
NorthEast, however, showed a lot of good fight and stayed firm. It's not like they went all defensive either, as other teams have tended to do while playing Bengaluru at the Kanteerava. They managed to create some openings and trouble the home side and let them know that they were still in the game.
And before half-time, they were rewarded for their efforts with the penalty which was swiftly dispensed by Marcinho. They let Bengaluru score early in the second, but they played well enough to be disappointed at having to come away with nothing. They finished the game stronger and Bengaluru had to be sharp defensively to see out the game.
Seiminlen Doungel continued his good showing too. His crossing was a bit of a letdown, but he did impress once again.
The resurgence since Joao de Deus' departure and the arrival of Avram Grant has been telling. They couldn't replicate their wins against FC Goa and Chennaiyin FC, but they can take much heart from their display here and continue to push for that playoff spot.
