Guwahati, 30 October: Substitute Vinith Venkatesh scored in the 93rd minute to give Bengaluru FC a 1-1 draw against NorthEast United FC in the MG Indian Super League at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium on Friday. Jithin MS had put the hosts ahead in the first half, and Sunil Chhetri set up the equaliser.
Jithin puts NorthEast ahead
Bengaluru started well. Ashique Kuruniyan narrowly missed the target after Borja Martínez set him up, and Ricky Meetei shot over the bar from Ryan Williams’ cross. NorthEast replied through Alaaeddine Ajaraie, whose shot from outside the box was saved by Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.
The hosts grew into the game and went ahead in the 15th minute. González led a fast break and set up Jithin, who finished with his left foot into the bottom-left corner.
Bengaluru pushed for a reply. NorthEast goalkeeper Gurmeet Singh kept out efforts from Soham Varshneya and Borja, and Ashique headed wide from close range. NorthEast took their 1-0 lead into half-time.
Goalkeepers busy after the break
Both goalkeepers were in action early in the second half. Gurmeet denied Borja from close range, while Gurpreet kept out two attempts from Ethyan.
Bengaluru lost Shivaldo Singh to injury and brought on Sandro Embalo. NorthEast also had injury changes, with Parthib Gogoi replacing Jithin and Redeem Tlang coming on for Macarton Nickson. Ryan Williams and Varshneya both missed the target for the visitors, while Ethyan and Abdul Rabeeh had shots blocked for the hosts.
Chhetri sets up the equaliser
Bengaluru sent on Sunil Chhetri and Suresh Wangjam in search of a goal. Chhetri missed from inside the box after a Borja cross, and Manuel Iriondo headed wide from a corner. At the other end, Ajaraie sent a free-kick over the bar.
Five minutes of added time were shown. Vinith first missed from the centre of the box after a pass from Monirul Molla. Moments later Gurmeet clashed with Eneko Satrustegui and spilled the ball. Chhetri picked it up and found Vinith, who finished into the bottom-left corner to make it 1-1.
Bengaluru FC began their season with a 3-2 win over Sporting Club Delhi.
Indian Super League 2026-27
The MG Indian Super League is India’s top-tier professional football league. This season’s competition has 13 clubs: Bengaluru FC, Chennaiyin FC, Churchill Brothers FC, East Bengal FC, FC Goa, Inter Kashi FC, Kerala Blasters FC, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Mumbai City FC, NorthEast United FC, Odisha FC, Punjab FC and Sporting Club Delhi.
