Odafe stunner helps Bagan hold East Bengal

A sloppy East Bengal failed to get past Mohun Bagan who snatched a 1-1 draw with a brilliant Odafa Onyeka Okolie in their return leg I-League fixture at the Salt Lake stadium here on Saturday.

East Bengal went ahead under controverial circumstances when Robin Singh scored from an apparent off-side position in the 32nd minute but referee Santosh Kumar awarded the goal to the Red-and-Gold camp.

Mohun Bagan bounced back in spectacular fashion right after the changeover with a powerful right footer by Nigerian stalwart Odafa.

Having restored parity, Mohun Bagan received two big jolts when their two foreigners Jose Barreto and Hudson Lima had to be substituted after sustaining injuries.

Lima’s injury after a collision with Penn Orji in the 80th minute in fact reduced Bagan to 10 men but East Bengal failed to take advantage as their midfield and forward line lacked cohesion.

The draw in the season’s last derby meant Bagan, who had won 1-0 in the first leg and 2-0 in the local league, maintained their unbeateb record against their biggest rivals.  In the standings, East Bengal (35) remained in second position while Bagan remained third, a point behind East Bengal.

Air India test for HASC

After a brave outing against Churchill Brothers, Air India will be confident of taking full points against a beleaguered HASC side at the Balewadi Sports Complex Ground on Sunday.

Though Air India is well clear of the relegation zone the Mumbai side will look to finish on a high before the AFC Challenge Cup break.

HASC, on the other hand, will be down on confidence after their shoddy show against Shillong Lajong on Wednesday.

However, they have picked up most of their points away from home this season and they will again hope for some away comforts.

Air India will be propped up by the return of striker Henry Ezeh and midfielder Takayuki Omi, who were suspended for the Churchill match.

With 24 points from 18 matches, Air India is just three points behind Sporting Clube de Goa and three ahead of fast-approaching Shillong Lajong FC (21), who play AIFF development side Pailan Arrows on Sunday.

HASC are at the bottom of the heap with 6 points.

This will be the Bangalore side’s third match of the season at the Balewadi, having lost against Pune FC (3-1) and Mumbai FC (4-0) in their previous two games.