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Skipper Sunil Chhetri’s strike was cancelled out by an Aleksandar Jovanovic own goal as Bengaluru FC’s wait for an away win in the 2023-24 Indian Super League continued, following a 1-1 draw against NorthEast United at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Sunday. The result meant Bengaluru FC stayed in eighth place with six points from seven games this term.
Earlier, Simon Grayson made three changes to the side that took the field in their last outing against Hyderabad FC as Jessel Carneiro, Slavko Damjanovic and Harsh Patre made way for Shankar Sampingiraj, Aleksandar Jovanovic and Naorem Roshan Singh. In attack, Ryan Williams and Halicharan continued down the wings, with skipper Sunil Chhetri returning from international duty to remain the focal point up front. Juan Pedro Benali, meanwhile, opted to start with French attacker Romain Phillipoteaux in midfield, as Gani Nigam and Parthib Gogoi manned the flanks.
The hosts had the first chance of the fixture only ten minutes in when Gogoi’s cross into the box was nodded down by Phillipoteaux for Nestor Albiach, but the Spaniard’s shot from point blank range was saved well by Gurpreet Singh Sandhu in the Bengaluru goal.
The Blues took the lead just past the half hour mark when Javi Hernandez was brought down in the area by Mirshad Michu, who came off his line in an attempt to dispossess the Spaniard. Chhetri made no mistake from the spot, slotting past the Highlanders’ custodian to give his side the advantage.
Grayson’s men seemed destined to take their lead into the break, but for a fortuitous goal that went the way of the hosts in what was the last action of the first half. The Blues, reduced to ten men after an injury to Williams, conceded in the final minute of time added on when Jithin MS, having found himself in space down the right flank, fired a cross that deflected off a hapless Jovanovic and evaded Gurpreet’s outstretched arm.
The Blues made a change at the break with Williams unable to continue, as Curtis Main replaced the Australian winger. To make space for the forced shuffle, Chhetri moved to the left flank while Halicharan switched to the right.
Bengaluru continued their push to reclaim the lead but shots from Main, Chhetri and Halicharan were blocked away by a stubborn Highlanders’ backline. Bengaluru made further changes as Sivasakthi Narayanan, Rohit Kumar, Robin Yadav and Harsh Patre made their way into the field.
The Blues, buoyed by fresh legs, continued to move into the final third, but couldn’t apply the finishing touch as the spoils were shared in Guwahati. The Blues return to the Kanteerava Stadium next week, as they host ISL debutants Punjab FC on Thursday.
