ISL 2018-19, Bengaluru vs NorthEast United: Preview and TV timing
Bengaluru FC will be aiming to produce the substance at home when they welcome NorthEast United in the second leg of the semi-final encounter. Bengaluru trail NorthEast by a 1-2 margin and the idea will be to build on home comforts. The hosts need a strong display to stand a chance of progressing to the final. Here's the detailed match preview.
NorthEast United produced the goods in the first half of the first leg and Redeem Tlang scored early on with a classy goal. Bengaluru fought back with Francisco Hernandez getting an important equalizer. A Juan Mascia penalty helped the hosts get the winner in injury-time.
Bengaluru will need to stop the attacking flow of NorthEast from the onset. The defensive structure needs to be solid and playing on the counter could help them. Bengaluru's attack is gifted with the presence of talisman Sunil Chhetri. Meanwhile, NorthEast will be without striker Bartholomew Ogbeche and Rowllin Borges. The visitors cannot let their absence bother their approach towards the game.
Ogbeche will be dearly missed by NorthEast as he scored 12 goals this season. That will force NorthEast to change personnel and the style. Federico Gallego and Juan Mascia will be their key assets in the match. Gallego has four goals and five assists. Bengaluru will look up to Chhetri, who has eight goals this term. He also has three assists to his name.
FC Goa have virtually sealed the semi-final result against Mumbai City FC after a superb 5-1 win away from home in the first leg. High-flying Goa have been stupendous with their attacking display and became the first side to score five goals in the semis of the ISL. Senegal's Mourtada Fall scored a brace. It was their third straight victory against Mumbai.
The match will begin at 7:30 PM IST on Monday. The second leg of the semis will be held at Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru. The match will be telecast live on the Star Sports Network. It can be streamed on Hotstar.
