NorthEast United FC had nothing to lose coming into this game and the players played their hearts out to thrash the star studded Bengaluru FC 2-1 in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2021-22 match at PJN Stadium, Margao on Friday to earn three points.
Already out of the semi-final race, the Highlanders played with a very positive intent and displayed an attacking brand of football. Deshorn Brown and Laldanmawia Ralte scored the two goals for NEUFC while Cleiton Silva scored the solitary goal for Bengaluru FC.
This was an important game for Bengaluru and they would be very disappointed. They are still in 6th place with 23 points while NEUFC move to the 10th position with 13 points.
Bengaluru FC started great in the first half and looked like scoring on several occasions as well but the NEUFC defenders did well to not concede a goal. NEUFC too, wasted their chances in the first half as Imran Khan and Deshorn Brown clearly missed easy scoring opportunities and both teams were goalless at the end of the first half.
The second half started with a lot of intensity with both teams pushing hard to break the deadlock. Two minutes into the second half, Hernan Santana and Suhair Vadakkepeedika almost combined to score but Bengaluru goalkeeper Lara Sharma did well.
With nothing to lose, NEUFC clearly played with an attacking mindset but it was BFC’s Cleiton Silva who scored the first goal in the 66th minute. Shortly after, Deshorn Brown scored the equalizer to bring NEUFC back into the game.
Mizoram’s Laldanmawia Ralte scored the winner in the 80th minute to hand NEUFC their third win of the season. Joe Zoherliana was chosen for the Hero of the Match Award.
NEUFC next play Jamshedpur FC on Friday, 25th February.
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