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Miku scored again for Bengaluru FC as Albert Roca's men picked up a hard-fought 1-0 win away at NorthEast United. It wasn't the prettiest of games, but Bengaluru showed more quality on key possessions to get the job done.
Joao de Deus' NorthEast United failed to create many clear-cut opportunities and were unable to follow up their win away at Delhi Dynamos in their previous game with another one here at home.
Here's how the players from both sides fared:
NorthEast United
TP Rehenesh (GK) - 4.5
Seemed to be struggling with a bit of a niggle as he outsourced kicking duties during to his defenders. Props for braving it and playing the game, but his error ultimately led to Bengaluru's goal which proved decisive.
Nirmal Chettri (DF) (79 mins) - 4.5
Continued his run as the worst defender in this NorthEast backline. Slow at reading play and continuously shown up by Bengaluru's movement, his passing wasn't any good either. Picked up a yellow in the 31st minute itself.
Sambinha (DF) - 6.5
Was strong and showed some good ball retrieving skills. He was very good in winning the ball back from Bengaluru on quite a few occasions including on one threatening breakaway. Continues to look good in combination with Goncalves. Also played as an auxiliary forward as his side went looking for the equalizer.
Jose Goncalves (DF) - 6.5
Continued his good showing as a captain and as their lead defender. He was given a tough time by Miku, but did decently well.
Reagan Singh (DF) - 5
Was schooled by Udanta down Bengaluru's right flank. Lucky to escape a booking when he kicked out at the Bengaluru winger out of frustration. He was pegged back in his own half for much of the game.
Rowllin Borges (MF) - 5
This game passed him by. He was unable to offer the usual shielding protection to his backline as he was swamped by Bengaluru's midfield three.
Adilson Goiano (MF) (71 mins) - 6
Playing alongside Borges, he found it extremely difficult to contain the runs of Edu and Udanta. Was pushed further up in the second half to try and create more, but couldn't manage much. Goiano had the best chance for his side in the 34th minute when he found himself in on goal after a neat 1-2 with Marcinho, but messed it up completely.
Seiminlen Doungel (MF) (64 mins) - 5.5
His crossing was not up to scratch and failed to make use of the ball the few times he managed to get behind the Bengaluru defence.
Marcinho (MF) - 6.5
Tried his best to get his side going. Some of his passes lacked the incision though that we've seen in previous games. Had two shots on goal from outside the box that went close.
Holicharan Narzary (MF) - 4.5
Was he even in this match? You would be forgiven if you thought that, for the winger was barely visible as the first half went by. He had more touches in the second, but none of note. Only he knows why he was attempting long-range efforts from way off instead of trying to get the ball in the box. de Deus was rightfully infuriated with him.
Danilo Lopes (FW) - 6.5
Had some good chances in the closing minutes as he saw his powerful shot saved by Bengaluru's keeper and had an open header which he completely misjudged. His effort couldn't be faulted though.
Substitutes
Lalrindika Ralte (MF) (on for Doungel) - 5
Was brought in to provide some width and crosses into the box, but couldn't get any telling deliveries into the box.
Alfonso Paez (FW) (on for Adilson) - 5
Won a few free-kicks for his side as they chased a goal, but nothing more.
Gursimrat Singh (DF) (on for Nirmal) - 4.5
Was a strange sub considering NorthEast needed a goal, but de Deus was probably worried about Nirmal.
Bengaluru FC
Lalthuammawia Ralte (GK) - 7
Had a pretty good game coming into a situation where his side were without their two other keepers and coming off an injury himself. Pulled off some good saves from Danilo and made two crucial interventions in the first minute of stoppage time.
Harmanjot Khabra (DF) - 6.5
Formed a very good tag team with Udanta down the right flank and helped keep Narzary and Reagan out of the game.
John Johnson (DF) - 6.5
Picked up a yellow in the 26th minute, but managed to come good the rest of the game. Was strong in his tackling against Danilo. Almost provided an assist for Sunil Chhetri too.
Rahul Bheke (DF) - 6.5
Had a pretty decent game in central defence in the absence of Spaniard Juan Antonio. Held his line well and didn't give much away.
Subhashish Bose (DF) - 6.5
Playing as the left-back, Bose played a little higher than the rest of the backline to provide an offensive outlet with his good left-foot. Made some good runs into the box.
Edu Garcia (MF) (76 mins) - 7.5
Had another very good game. He is the guy that makes this Bengaluru midfield tick. When he's not passing the ball, he's making those runs that are so difficult to pick up. Borges and Adilson couldn't deal with him.
Erik Paartalu (MF) - 6.5
No goals for the big Australian today, but with Antonio not playing, he constantly dropped back into defence to form a back-three.
Dimas Delgado (MF) - 7
Came into the side in place of Lenny Rodrigues and was superb. Was constantly in the right place at the right time to break up NorthEast attacks.
Udanta Singh (FW) - 9
Player of the match in this one. He ran NorthEast's defence ragged especially their full-backs. Udanta had an outstanding game as he played slightly differently to what we've seen before. He came in deep to pick up the ball and initiate moves and his movement from out wide to in and back made life difficult for NorthEast. Provided the assist for Miku after Rehenesh's error.
Sunil Chhetri (FW) (68 mins) - 6
Had a chance on his left foot in the 43rd minute when the ball fell to him, but totally miscued it. Chhetri was late to react to a chance in the second half as well when he wasn't offside and could have gotten to Johnson's ball before Rehenesh.
Miku (FW) (82 mins) - 8
Don't give this guy a chance for he's going to score. Continues to be lethal in the box when presented with a chance. Despite giving up size and some mass to NorthEast's defenders, he managed to get the better of them with the timing of his runs and positioning.
Substitutes
Lenny Rodrigues (MF) (on for Sunil) - 6
Does what he does best with his pressing and initiated some good attacks as Bengaluru played on the counter.
Juan Antonio (DF) (on for Edu) - 5.5
Came in as Roca looked to shore things up and went into a back-three that didn't cede many chances late on.
Braulio (FW) (on for Miku) - 4
A late sub who didn't get much time, Braulio kept the ball in the end to kill time.
