WARSAW, Oct. 26 (Xinhua) -- Rakow Czestochowa secured a 1-1 draw against 10-man Sporting CP in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League in Sosnowiec, Poland, on Thursday.
Despite the hosts earning their first point in the competition in the club's history, coach Dawid Szwarga might feel disappointed as the rival competed with 10 men for 82 minutes.
In the eighth minute, Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres fouled Rakow defender Zoran Arsenic near the sideline, and following a VAR review, the referee issued him a red card.
Sporting responded in the best possible manner as Ruben Amorim's players broke the deadlock in the 14th minute when Sebastian Coates headed the ball into the net after a precise cross from a corner kick by Pedro Goncalves.
Marcus Edwards had a chance to double their lead seven minutes later but saw his effort denied by Vladan Kovacevic.
Rakow maintained possession after the restart, yet struggled to find a shot on target until the 71st minute, when Franco Israel parried away Srdan Plavsic's shot.
It was Fabian Piasecki who saved the day for the Polish champion with 11 minutes to go, tapping in from close range to equalize at 1-1.
Three minutes later, Piasecki beat the goalkeeper once more, but the goal was disallowed due to offside.
After three rounds, Sporting CP sit second in Group D, three points behind leaders Atalanta, while Rakow are at the bottom with one point. ■
