AFC Cup: Late penalty denies Mohun Bagan AC win vs Club Valencia in Maldives
Mohun Bagan, who rested six regulars for the tie against Club Valencia, now need a goalless draw to advance to the main round of AFC Cup
Mohun Bagan maintained their unbeaten run in all competitions this season but a late penalty forced them to drop points in Male in the second round of the AFC Cup qualifier against Club Valencia which ended 1-1 on Tuesday. The return leg will be played at Rabindra Sarovar stadium on February 28.
Mohun Bagan, who rested six regulars for this tie, now need a goalless draw to advance to the main round of this Asian competition in the last edition of which, Bengaluru FC became the first team from India to play in the final. The main round begins on March 14 and should Mohun Bagan qualify, they will open against Bengaluru FC away.
Read | AFC Cup qualifier: Easy win helps Mohun Bagan set up 2nd round against Valencia
On Tuesday, Darryl Duffy continued his impressive form and scored in the sixth minute beating Club Valencia goalie Mohamed Faisal after Prabir Das found him. Godfrey West Omudu equalised in the 71st minute from the penalty spot after a handball by Mohun Bagan’s under-22 defender Subhasish Bose. Owing to a slew of regulars being rested, Bose played as right-back with Shouvik Ghosh slotted in as left-back.
Faisal denied Bikramjit Singh and Balwant Singh to ensure the hosts stayed in the game and then the hosts got a penalty. Soon after, they got another chance but Mohun Bagan were saved by central defender Eduardo Ferreira.
Scoreline: Mohun Bagan 1 (Duffy 6) dw with Club Valencia 1 (Omudu, 71, p)