Pune: Star striker Odafa Okolie struck twice in a space of seven minutes to save the day for a struggling Mohun Bagan and earn a 2-2 draw against Pune FC in a Round IX match of the I-League here on Sunday. Pune FC will rue Sunday's result for a long time as they were leading 2-0 till the 76th minute. The home side allowed Mohun Bagan to score twice and split points at the Balewadi Stadium.
The result took Pune FC to 11 points from eight matches while Bagan moved to 12 points from nine matches. Pune FC went ahead in the 30th minute through Chika Wali who tapped in after Douhou Pierre's shot hit the wall. The second goal was scored by Izumi Arata. Douhou found James Moga on the right and crossed the box for Arata to bulge the net.
But Pune lost the plot when Odafa came into his own. In the 77th minute, Odafa surged into the box from the left. He unleashed a shot which deflected off Wali into the Pune net. That was the opening Bagan was looking for. Okolie made it 2-2 in the 84th minute. His quick turn caught the Pune defence on the wrong foot and the Nigerian recruit slotted the ball home.
Pune FC dominated the proceedings in the early part of the first half. In the very second minute, Karma Tsewang sent a long ball to James Moga but the latter fumbled. Subhash Singh had a chance but his strike went wide in the ninth minute.
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