Bagan draw against Club Valencia

Male, Feb 21: Mohun Bagan rode on Darryl Duffy's early strike to garner a point against the Maldivian Club Valencia in an AFC Cup playoff football game here on Tuesday.

Duffy gave Bagan the lead in the fifth minute but Godfrey West Omodu struck from the spot in the 72nd to level the score.

Bagan took the lead in the opening exchanges of the tie when Prabir Das darted forward down the right and crossed for Duffy who prodded in with aplomb. Ten minutes into the second half, Balwant had a chance to score after Raynier Ferndes sent in a teasing cross from the left, but the striker's header went straight to the home side goalkeeper. Valencia equalised after Subhasish Bose handled the ball inside the area. Omodu stepped up and buried the shot giving Shilton Paul no chance.

The second leg of the AFC Cup will take place on Tuesday at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium in Kolkata. IANS