Pa Ousman Gai’s 85th minute header earned Manila Digger FC a 1-1 draw with hosts Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng to leave the AFC Challenge League semi-final tie in the balance.
Tiago Alves had given the home side the lead from close range in the fourth minute but, despite dominating for much of the game, Svay Rieng were unable to extend their advantage and paid the price when Gai headed in his late equaliser.
The hosts had made a blistering start, Tiago forcing Omar Njie into a point blank save within two minutes of the opening whistle before taking the lead in the fourth minute from deep inside the six yard box.
Connor Shields’ corner was swung into the penalty area from the right and Modou Manneh rose to head the ball towards his own goal, setting up Tiago to stab in from close range, via the underside of the crossbar.
Manila Digger almost responded in the 16th minute as Gai headed over Kenji Nishioka’s free kick from the right although Assan Badjie almost doubled Svay Rieng’s lead when he nodded Shields’ corner against his own crossbar five minutes later.
Another Shields delivery went close to delivering Svay Rieng’s second in the 33rd minute, the Scot finding Tiago again but this time his volley came back off the post.
Svay Rieng goalkeeper Vireak Dara ensured his side went into the interval ahead when he blocked Gai’s strike on goal, the Gambian having found space inside the home penalty area after a slaloming run from deep.
Patrick then hit his attempt high and wide having twice missed earlier efforts to add to Svay Rieng’s lead as the hosts finished the half in the ascendancy.
Shields almost turned from provider to scorer midway through the second half, only to pull his left-foot shot wide of Njie’s left post while Patrick’s mazy run with a little over 12 minutes to go left Manila defenders in his wake before he dragged his shot off target.
Patrick and Kwame Peprah threatened in vain as Svey Riang sought to extend their first leg lead to allow Gai to claim the equaliser, the midfielder meeting Manneh’s cross from the right to leave the outcome in the balance ahead of the second leg in the Philippines next week.
