They had to let go of influential players like Lalengmawia, Ashutosh Mehta, and Dylan Fox, among others, but they've compensated for their losses by roping in Hernan Santana, Patrick Flottman, Matheus Coureur, and Sehnaj Singh.Įmanuel Lalchhanchhuaha is the only player unavailable for NorthEast United FC, which is a positive for Khalid Jamil's side as they head into their season opener. One of the less active entities in the market, NorthEast United FC took a reserved approach to their transfer activity, which is partly due to the retention of several core players like Federico Gallego, Deshorn Brown, Khassa Camara, and VP Suhair, ahead of the new campaign. Khalid Jamil who was handed the reins midway through the season led his team to six wins and three draws in the final nine games of the season, which propelled them into the semi-finals. NorthEast United FC displayed immense grit and determination in the 2020-21 season, as the side recorded their best-ever finish in the league stages, finishing third in the standings with 33 points. Harmanpreet Singh picked up a knee injury while featuring in the Durand Cup which has sidelined the young forward for the entire season. Their injury list is headlined by Suresh Singh Wangjam, who is still regaining match fitness, and also includes the likes of Parag Srivas, Akashdeep Singh, and Rohit Kumar, who shall all be unavailable for the first game. Bidyashagar Singh, Danish Farooq, Prince Ibarra, Bruno Ramires, and Iman Basafa are yet to go past their prime, which is a positive sign for the club's future.īengaluru FC will be missing several domestic players due to injuries against the Highlanders. A common trend noticed among their acquisitions in the summer window was a downward shift in the average age of the players. The former champions have revamped their squad ahead of the upcoming season, with a new-look foreign contingent, and several domestic signings too.
They had an unbeaten start to their previous campaign, winning three and drawing three of their first six games, but their campaign took a disappointing turn when they failed to register a win in the following eight fixtures. Having established themselves as consistent contenders for the champions' throne over the past few seasons, Bengaluru FC fell short of making it to the top four for the first time in their ISL history last season. Three out of the previous five encounters between the two clubs have resulted in draws, with the two fixtures last season also ending with no victors. NorthEast United FC have won just one game against the former champions, which was back in the semi-finals of the 2018-19 season. The Blues have historically been the better side in this fixture, winning five, and drawing four of the 10 games that they've contested against the Highlanders.
The Highlanders will look to go one step better and reach the final. The Blues will look to return to the semi-finals again this season having missed out on the knockout spot last year. ISL 2021-22 Highlights, Bengaluru FC vs NorthEast United FC: Cleiton Silva gave Bengaluru FC the lead in the 14th minute, Mashoor Shereef scored an own in the 23rd, Jayesh Rane scored in the 42nd and Prince Ibara doubled the lead in the 81st as Deshorn Brown and Mathias Coureur equalised in the 17th and 25th minute for NorthEast United FC at the GMC Athletic Stadium in Bambolim on Saturday, November 20, in the Indian Super League (ISL).