BENGALURU, INDIA: Bengaluru FC looked in control for large portions of the game but were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against NorthEast United FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday, February 22. Despite a bright opening and early attacking intent, missed chances and a momentary lapse allowed the visitors to fight back, leaving Bengaluru with a point but plenty of unanswered questions.
Bengaluru started brightly. Even without Rahul Bheke in the squad, captain-goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu marshalled the defence effectively, while debutant Bungson Singh added stability partnering with the experienced Chinglensana Singh. NorthEast United pressed early, creating a few half-chances.
A fifth-minute attempt from Michel Zabaco deflected wide, and a corner forced by a defensive slip from Chinglensana was cleared by Ryan Williams. Still, Bengaluru FC looked comfortable in possession. The breakthrough came in the 18th minute. Brian Sánchez embarked on a solo run from midfield and unleashed a long-range strike that beat the NorthEast goalkeeper Gurmeet Singh. It was a moment of individual brilliance that rewarded initiative.
Brian Sanchez scored the opening goal for Bengaluru FC against NorthEast United
The Blues continued to control the ball. Right-back Nikhil Poojary twice threaded passes to Ashique Kuruniyan ahead on the flanks, but both opportunities went begging. NorthEast United’s best moment came in added time when Spanish midfielder Andy’s free-kick hit the post but was declared offside.
By halftime, Bengaluru FC had dominance in play and possession, but the scoreline remained 1-0, which hinted at efficiency left untapped. Momentum shifted in the second half. NorthEast pressed aggressively, forcing saves from Sandhu in the 60th and 62nd minutes. The home team introduced Sunil Chhetri in the 63rd minute, seeking to turn dominance into goals, but chances continued to slip.
In the 68th minute, the Highlanders equalised. Substitute Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia, completely unmarked, slotted the goal to level the game after receiving an assist from centre-back Asheer Akhtar. For Bengaluru, Kuruniyan and Poojary both squandered chances later on, while Sanchez’s header in the 73rd minute struck the post. Sadly, even Chhetri couldn’t find the decisive touch.
The numbers were in NorthEast United’s favour and not Bengaluru FC’s
The final minutes were tense. Williams hit the post in the 86th minute, Poojary and fellow full-back Roshan Singh made crucial defensive clearances, and NorthEast threatened on the counter. In the end, neither side could break the deadlock. At the final whistle, frustration hung heavy. Bengaluru had controlled large portions of the match, but control alone doesn’t win you games.
Missed chances, wasted runs, and sloppy finishing meant that the Blues handed the initiative back to NorthEast United. Bengaluru had 12 shots, seven inside the box, one hitting the woodwork, and still only managed to score just one goal. Their xG of 0.96 shows they created decent chances, including 0.68 from open play, but they couldn’t turn these opportunities into points.
The Highlanders, with more shots (13) but less clinical finishing, had an xG of 1.26, showing they capitalised on the moments their hosts let slip. Non-penalty xG tells the same story: 1.26 to 0.14. It was a case of the classic football paradox: effort, activity, and dominance meant nothing if the final touch failed. Effort without precision is just noise, and on Sunday, Bengaluru FC learned that the hard way.
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