Michael Tayo scored in the dying minutes to help Air India salvage a 1-1 draw against qualifiers Oil India Limited in a Group D encounter of the 30th Federation Cup at Vidyasagar Krirangan, near Kolkata, on Sunday.
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The team from Duliajan, Assam, who bowed out of the tournament following the draw, impressed with their spirited performance against Air India, lying fourth in the I-League.
And had it not been for their inexperience, Oil India could have upset the airmen.
After a barren first-half, Raju Konwar gave Oil India the lead in the 64th minute.
The Assam team's foreign recruit Okwuelum Ezekiel's mishit landed in front of Konwar who surprised the Air India defence and goalkeeper Arup Debnath to send a rasping shot that bulged the net.
Buoyed by the goal, the Subrata Bhattacharya-coached side, who had surprised Mohun Bagan in their 1-2 defeat on Friday, piled on the pressure but Durga Boro's shot rebounded off the woodwork.
Air India too had a few chances and Samson Singh blew them much to coach Bimal Ghosh's dismay.
Soon after Soccor Velho missed a sitter and it was left to Tayo to drill in the equaliser in the 89th minute.
The import took advantage of substitute Jitu Chetri's nervousness to barge into the box and earn a point for the Mumbai outfit that sees it still in with a chance to qualify for the semi-finals.
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