Mark Milligan magic earns Baniyas first Arabian Gulf League point of the season

Baniyas, in white and light blue, fought back to earn a draw against Dibba on Saturday night. Courtesy: Arabian Gulf League

Baniyas 1 Dibba 1

Baniyas: Heo 63’ (og)

Dibba: Abdullah 51’

Man of the match: Mark Milligan (Baniyas)

Red card: Bastos (Baniyas 53)

ABU DHABI // Baniyas came from a goal and a man down to win their first Arabian Gulf League point of the season on Saturday night.

Ibrahim Abdullah put Dibba in front from the penalty spot early in the second half before South Korean Heo Jae-won turned Mark Milligan’s close range shot into his own net 12 minutes later to hand the hosts a draw at the Baniyas Stadium.

Abdullah Al Noobi brought down Heo and Abdullah stepped up to score from the spot on 51 minutes. They were reduced to 10 players two minutes later when Brazilian midfielder Fellipe Bastos was given a straight red for a foul on Humaid Rabea.

Baniyas did well to reorganise themselves against the numerical disadvantage to cancel out the lead.

Milligan picked up a weak clearance, dribbled past two defenders before firing a shot that deflected off Heo and into the far corner of the net. The Australian international could have put Baniyas ahead if not for a brilliant save from Dibba goalkeeper Fahad Mohammed.

Fahad also did well to block a stinging 30-yard shot from Yousuf Jaber in first half added time, the only bright spot in otherwise a lacklustre opening period.

Pablo Aquino, the Baniyas manager, said the sending off of Bastos so early in the second half affected his team even though it appeared they played better with 10 men.

“After we were reduced to 10 players, Dibba fell back and it provided us the opportunity to attack and score the equaliser,” he said.

“Overall, however, we didn’t play to our potential on the night. There were also refereeing mistakes against us but I don’t want to talk on that matter. So it wasn’t a good day for us.”

Paulo Sergio, the Dibba manager, said leaving the Baniyas Stadium with a point was a satisfying result.

“We thought we had the opportunity but even when we didn’t have the numerical advantage we created a few chances,” he said.

“For a small team like us we have to fight for every point. Baniyas are much bigger team than us. We have a young squad and I provided them the opportunity, they did well for this result.”

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