#3 Probable pep-talk in the half-time from Valencia coach
A side that was suffering from indecisiveness till the end of first-half, rose out of their own ashes and pegged down Bagan heavily in the second-half. Valencia’s repeated attacks pushed Bagan to the backseat in the latter part of the game. They started the second-half with a long ranger. Paul had to charge down the line to grip that.
Valencia kept on running across the entire field thereby broadening the spectrum of the game and left Bagan reeling from the switchovers. The wings were put to good use by the home team as they kept on harrowing Bagan with untenable runs and picture-perfect crosses.
They could have easily turned the score in their favour, only if their strikers were a bit more prolific. Barring Omodu, the others seemed lacklustre and failed to mount any pressure on the Bagan defence.
Their salvo paid off in the 70th minute when Subasish Bose, the U-22 sensation for Bagan so far in this I-league, handed the ball in the penalty box. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Omodu stepped up to the task and slapped the spot-kick home with consummate ease, drawing Valencia level.
Valencia almost ascertained the lead through Omodu, when Shilton Paul miscued his charge and Eduardo made a last-ditch dive to provide a goal-line clearance.
