Odafe brace in Bagan win
Kochi: Striker Okolie Odafe scored twice to help McDowell Mohun Bagan beat Chirag United 3-1 in the 18th round I-League encounter at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium here on Tuesday.
Odafe scored both the goals from penalty in 35th and 84th minute, while Jose Ramirez Barreto scored in the 86th minute. Anil Kumar scored the solitary goal for United in 47th minute.
Bagan were playing without Sunil Chhetri and Syed Rahim Nabi but Odafe and Barreto proved enough to rattle the home side.
The home side started on a positive note with Anil and David Sunday, who played in the front in absence of Ajayan. But their dominance lasted only for first 30 minutes as Mohun Bagan took control of the game soon after.
Odafe made no mistake in converting a penalty to give his side the lead. The scoreline remained unchanged till the half-time.
United equalised after the break when Anil Kumar scored from Asif’s lofted pass.
The home side upped their game after scoring the goal and managed to create a couple of chances.
But Odafe again gave mariners the lead, when Jimshad U handled the ball on the goalline, prompting referee Rowan to show the second red card and award a penalty.
Barreto increased the margin for the visitors in the 86th minute.
Odafe was adjudged man of the match. Mohun Bagan now have 33 points from 18 matches, one point behind East Bengal and four behind table-topper Dempo. United remained on 11 points from 17 matches.
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