BENGALURU: There was late drama in the Indian Football League clash between FC Bengaluru United and Real Kashmir FC at the Bangalore Football Stadium here on Saturday. The visitors, leading 2-1, were sniffing victory, but Abdul Hannan had some other plans. The FCBU defender scored the all-important equaliser in the 90th minute.The Snow Leopards went close to scoring the winner in the six added minutes, but FCBU goalkeeper Manjunath Hirekurbar made a double save to salvage a point with a 2-2 draw for the home team.It was RKFC who looked in control during the initial exchanges. They used both the flanks effectively and made their possession count as forward Zahir Khan met Lalawmpuia Sailo’s cross to head into the empty net and take the lead in the 11th minute. However, FCBU regrouped after conceding the goal, and their efforts bore fruit ten minutes later.Colombian Maikol Andres Herrera fancied his chances from 25-odd yards. The long-ranger was out of the reach of Real Kashmir’s diving goalkeeper Susnata Malik to make it all square with a wonder strike into the top bin.It did not take long for the visitors to regain the lead with defender Shanid Valan scoring an outrageous goal. A miskick from midfielder Rohen Singh reached Valan inside the box, and he backheeled the ball above the goalkeeper to stun FCBU players in the 29th minute. Ribhav Sardesai then came close to making it all square, but his curling effort struck the crossbar.At the other end, FCBU defenders also made some last-minute tackles to keep the score 1-2 at the break. RKFC dominated possession for most of the second half, with FCBU being tactically outsmarted. Despite the dominance, they failed to find the net, though they came close with Amzard Khan striking the crossbar. But in the end, it was Hannan who emerged the hero as his late header helped FCBU snatch a draw.
