ISL 2020-21 Highlights, NorthEast United FC vs Bengaluru FC: Bengaluru FC and NorthEast United FC share spoil as the match number 56 of the Indian Super League season 7 ends in a 1-1 draw. NEUFC took the lead in the match through Luis Machado as he slotted home from close range. The Highlanders could have scored more but they failed to convert their chances, as they went into the break with a one-goal lead. After the break, Bengaluru took just four minutes to equalise as Rahul Bheke scored from just outside the box. The goal spurred Bengaluru as they kept on testing the NEUFC custodian, however, they failed to make the most of the opportunities they got. As a result, the match ended 1-1 and Bengaluru snapped their losing streak.
ISL 2020-21 FULL COVERAGE | ISL 2020-21 SCHEDULE | ISL 2020-21 POINTS TABLE
Both the sides started strong, maintaining their place in the top four before a bad run of results saw them slide down the table.
The Highlanders find themselves a point adrift of sixth-placed Bengaluru who have accumulated 12 points. Both teams have conceded more goals than they have scored and while Bengaluru have lost four games on the trot, NEUFC are winless in six while suffering three losses. The last time the two sides met, NEUFC fought back to earn a 2-2 draw, despite trailing by two goals. And NorthEast assistant coach Alison Kharsyntiew, who will be filling in for the suspended Gerard Nus, hopes the Guwahati-based team can turn the corner and start afresh.
ISL 2020-21 FULL COVERAGE | ISL 2020-21 SCHEDULE | ISL 2020-21 POINTS TABLE
"The main thing is that we not only focus on the negatives but the positives also," he said. "Tomorrow is our first game of the second leg of the season and it's a new day, a new beginning for us. I'm sure that the players and the team as a whole can give a good performance tomorrow."
BFC interim coach Naushad Moosa, who took over from Carles Cuadrat before the game against SC East Bengal, couldn't help the side arrest their slump, suffering a 0-1 defeat. But one positive from the game for Moosa was getting his idea across to his players. "Before the game (against East Bengal), the message was not to worry about the result," he said.
"No matter what happens, we come out with the feeling that we gave our 100%. Of course, winning is important. But in the last match, the most important thing was for them to have faith in me in the way we want to play." Moosa felt the match against the Highlanders will give 'The Blues' a better assessment of themselves.
"I have been watching NorthEast, they are not a bad team. They are a team that fights back. We cannot be relaxed," said Moosa. "Our players are aware of their roles and how important this match is going to be for us to understand where we stand in the league. We have 10 games in hand, and maybe for a good start (for the rest of the tournament), let's try to win the game against NorthEast.
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