Osasuna share points

ESPN – PAMPLONA, Osasuna denied Primera Division strugglers Real Valladolid a rare victory with an equaliser four minutes from time in Pamplona to ensure a 1-1 draw. 

After the hosts had been denied by the woodwork three times, Valladolid took the lead through a screamer from Medunjanin Haris with only 10 minutes to go.

But Jose Antonio Camacho’s side salvaged a point with an 86th-minute equaliser from Javier Camunas.

Osasuna, who are perennial strugglers, look to be well clear of the relegation battle this time but the story is very different for their opponents.

Valladolid began the match in the bottom two and with coach Onesimo Sanchez, who replaced Jose Luis Mendilibar at the start of the month, still looking for his first victory.

To make matters worse, the Castilians also have a host of injury worries, with Diego Costa, Jacobo Sanz, Sisi, Fabian Canobbio, Henrique Sereno, Luis Prieto and Nivaldo all missing for this trip.

Javad Nekounam was the first player to try his luck in the sixth minute when his 20-yarder was deflected behind by Borja.

Carlos Aranda then fired wide as both teams eased their way into the match.

It was the visitors who created the first clear opening on 13 minutes when Manucho’s header from Alberto Bueno’s cross was acrobatically tipped over the bar by Ricardo in the home goal.

Masoud Shojaei saw his long-ranger blocked as Osasuna went on the attack again, and the hosts then came within a whisker of taking the lead.

Masoud’s cross found Walter Pandiani and his volley smacked against the post. The ball rebounded back to the striker but he could only put his second effort wide.

Osasuna were struggling to create any momentum, though, and Manucho was proving a handful for their defence at the other end.

The Angolan, formerly of Manchester United, tested Ricardo from distance and shot wide from inside the area when he possibly should have done better.

In between those two efforts, the home side hit the woodwork for the second time when Nekounam’s free-kick from the edge of the area hit a post.

Masoud had a decent opportunity in the opening minutes of the second half but he could only direct his header from Francisco Punal’s cross over the bar.

That was Masoud’s last involvement as he was taken off to be replaced by Juanfran, who was fit enough for the bench following his appendectomy.

Valladolid then came close to a goal as Cesar Arzo headed Jonathan Sesma’s corner over from close in, while moments later Miguel Flano missed the target from a similar opportunity at the other end.

Incredibly, Osasuna then made it a woodwork hat-trick as Nekounam struck a post with a vicious effort from 25 yards.

At the other end, Ricardo needed to be alert to keep out a free-kick from Borja.

With the match entering the final 10 minutes, the deadlock was finally broken by Valladolid, and it was substitute Haris who did the damage with a superb 25-yard effort that flew into the top corner.

Manucho then drew a smart save from Ricardo as Valladolid attempted to secure a vital win but it was not to be as Camunas headed in Punal’s cross for the equaliser with four minutes left.

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