Bengaluru, Feb. 22 -- Bengaluru FC hosted NorthEast United in a hard-fought battle at the Kanteerava on Sunday. Braian Sanchez's first-half goal gave Bengaluru FC an early lead, but Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia made a telling impact on the game after coming off the bench to equalise in the second half for NorthEast United FC.

With Rahul Bheke absent from the matchday squad, the responsibility to lead the team and the defensive line fell on Gurpreet Singh Sandhu's shoulders. The veteran goalie proved his mettle with a crucial save in the opening minutes to keep NorthEast at bay, according to a release.

At the 20th minute mark, it was Braian Sanchez's turn to put his team ahead. BFC's no. 10 made a dazzling run through the middle of the park be...