BANIYAS // Lutfi al Benzarti, the Baniyas coach, admitted his team's chances of reaching the semi-finals of the Etisalat Cup are all but over after a 1-1 home result with Al Ain last night.
Baniyas, who are second in the Pro League behind Al Jazira, are lagging at the bottom of the Group A on eight points with two games left.
But Al Ain took their tally to 16 at the top, and one point from the remaining two games will ensure them a place in the last four.
"Our team in this competition is severely weakened by the high number of players drafted in the national team and the Olympic team," al Benzarti said.
"For us, this is a competition to provide the fringe players of an opportunity."
Meanwhile, Alexandre Gallo, the Al Ain coach, has shepherded his team to two games without defeat since taking in charge from Abdulhameed al Mishtiki, the Emirati, who was sacked two weeks ago.
"We were not well-settled in the first half but after a few positional changes and substitutions, we played better in the second half," Gallo said.
"We attacked more and created more chances, yet we couldn't win the game.
"But I think it was a good result because we didn't lose."
After a scoreless first half Baniyas drew first blood through a penalty from Fawzi Bashir, the Oman international just short of the hour mark after Fareed Ismail was felled by Ismail Ahmed.
But their lead lasted just 10 minutes as Jose Sand, Al Ain's Argentine striker, struck the equaliser also from the spot after Ali Massari was penalised for a handball.
Al Ain went closest to winning the game in the closing stages.
Saif Mohammed's looping header was brilliantly pushed out by Mohammed Khalef, two minutes from time to ensure the score finished level.
Al Ain's best chance to score in a scrappy first half was a weak volley from Sand. His effort off a cross from Bandar Mohammed was blocked by Khalef five minutes before the break.
In the other games last night, Fernando Baiano's goal of the match was enough for Al Wahda to clinch a 1-0 away win over Al Dhafra.
The Pro League champions leapfrogged to second spot in Group A, taking their tally to 11 points, after Al Nasr were held to a 1-1 draw by Dubai.