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Salgaocar Sports Club staged a second half recovery to hold Mohun Bagan 1-1 in the 25th round I-league clash at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, Goa, on Saturday.
Bagan seemed to be cruising comfortably with a solitary goal lead at the breather from Nigerian striker Odafe Okolie but Salgaocar stunned the visitors with Ishfaq Ahmed's goal a minute after resumption.
The win helped Mohun Bagan move to the second spot with 44 points but with just a match in hand, their position is under increasing threat. Salgaocar have 40 points in their kitty and their chances of a top three finish seems to be diminishing.
Bagan started confidently and with Odafe partnering Jose Ramirez Barreto upfront -- and Sunil Chhetri relegated to a midfield role -- there was constant danger.
Bagan could have gone up further but Odafe's powerful shot from close range rattled the upright and just a few seconds before the change of ends, Sunil Chhetri, left all alone with the goalkeeper, saw the ball roll past the side post.
The second session was all about Salgaocar as the defending champions struck back with vengeance. They scored the equalizer in the 46th minute when French midfielder Maxime Belouet's overhead ball was well controlled by Ishfaq and then converted with remarkable ease.
Air India blank Pailan Arrows
A brace by Prakash Thorat help Air India beat Pailan Arrows 2-0 at the Yuba Bharati Krinangan on Saturday.
Prakash scored both goals for the winners in the 44th and 67th minute of the match.
The win takes Air India to 32 points from 25 matches while Pailan Arrows stays on 9 points from their 22 matches.
Prakash Thorat was awarded man-of-the-match for his exemplary performance.
Mumbai FC thrash HAL 5-1
Gbeneme Friday's goals galore helped Mumbai FC thrash HAL Bangalore 5-1 at the Bangalore Football Stadium on Saturday.
Friday found the back of the net in 8th, 50th, 83th & 87th while Abhished Yadav scored in 21st minute for Mumbai FC. Ajit Kumar Singh scored the only goal for HAL Bangalore in 24th minute.
With this win Mumbai FC have 24 points from 25 matches, 7 points adrift of Chirag United Kerala with whom they are fighting relegation battle.
Meanwhile, already relegated HAL Bangalore stays at 8 points from 24 outings.
Gbeneme Firday of Mumbai FC was adjudged man-of-the-match for his stupendous performance.