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Bengaluru FC came into the game as favourites but things did not go their way. A resolute defensive display from the Highlanders ensured that the Blues did not get a positive result from all the pressure they piled on for 90 minutes.
NorthEast United also came close to scoring on counter-attacks but could not find the back of the net, with the only effort from Asamoah Gyan hitting the post. With eleven corners to show, Bengaluru could not capitalise on their chances and have only themselves to blame for sharing points with the visitors.
However, there were signs of individual brilliance from both the teams which are to be mentioned. Few players could not stand up to their capability and failed to have the desired impact on the game. Let us have a look at the top performers from the tie and also the ones who disappointed fans and pundits alike.
Hit - Kai Heerings
The Ajax academy graduate had a decent debut at the back for the Highlanders. Kai Heerings and Mislav Komorski stood tall in the NorthEast United defence and did not allow the likes of Sunil Chhetri and Manuel Onwu any free space to exploit.
Heerings was tasked with marking Chhetri and he did a very good job. Chhetri was struggling to create space to shoot and move. The disciplined defensive display from NorthEast United spearheaded by Heerings forced Bengaluru to resort to wing play.
Ashique Kuruniyan and Udanta Singh were forced to play both as wingers and strikers for large periods of the game as Chhetri and Onwu were cut-off from the rest of the team.
Flop - Udanta Singh
Not a very regular name in the list of underperformers. Udanta Singh just could not match up to his actual capacity. He did get in some very dangerous looking balls but failed to set up any clear-cut chances for Manuel Onwu and Sunil Chhetri.
Singh also could not capitalise on the brilliant through balls provided by debutant Raphael Augusto. Augusto put Udanta through on goal on five occasions but the winger could not finish his chances.
Udanta also lost possession way too cheaply several times in the right-wing as Rakesh Pradhan succesfully contained him for the entirety of the game.
Udanta will hope to return to his best in the coming days, as Bengaluru FC aim to become the first side in ISL history to defend their crown.
Hit - Raphael Augusto
Raphael Augusto was the man of the match in today's game and rightly so. Augusto made his debut for Bengaluru FC and was at his sublime best. He played part in almost all the chances Bengaluru FC created. His inch-perfect through balls found Udanta Singh and Manuel Onwu on numerous occasions but the pair of attackers failed to take their chances. Augusto also had few shots of his own and was an absolute menace for the NorthEast United defence.
NorthEast's full-backs didn't have the best of outings as Augusto's passes caught them out of position on numerous occasions. The Brazilian also put in a shift in midfield and his technical ability coupled with his workrate makes him a vital cog of this side.
Flop - Sunil Chhetri
Sunil Chhetri has been playing in Indian top division football for more than 15 years. He has always been dubbed as one of the best Indian footballers ever given his consistency in scoring, match fitness and leadership skills.
A nationwide favourite has been of service to every side he has played for several years. However, Chhetri wasn't at his best as he failed to make an impression in the game. He did have few shots on goal but all of them were either wide or straight to Subhasish Roy Chowdhary.
He was heavily marked by Kai Heerings and failed to combine with Udanta and Ashique to allow Manuel Onwu score. Chhetri also looked a tad bit slower than he is, indicating a slight fall in fitness. Cuadrat needs to back Chhetri and make him play to his full potential.
Hit - Martin Chaves
The Uruguayan made his ISL debut with the Highlanders and impressed as his side earned a hard-fought draw away from home. He created the first goal-scoring chance for NorthEast United with a brilliant solo run down the Bengaluru half and tested Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.
Chaves delivered some brilliant balls from indirect set-pieces troubling Gurpreet Singh Sandhu in regular intervals. His deliveries from setpieces found Mirslav Komorski on almost every occasion.
Chaves' best move of the game was when he burst into the counter in the second-half and drew all the Bengaluru defenders on to him to play Asamoah Gyan through on goal, whose attempt rattled the woodwork.
Chaves looked lively on his debut and his form will be instrumental if NorthEast have a realistic chance of making it through to the playoffs.
