Aberdeen 1-1 HJK Helsinki: Pittodrie side pick up first European point in 16 years
- Published
Bojan Miovski's goal salvaged a point for Aberdeen
Bojan Miovski earned Aberdeen's first European point in almost 16 years with a late Europa Conference League equaliser against HJK Helsinki.
It was another Bojan - HJK's Radulovic - who looked to be leaving with the last laugh when he swept the visitors into the lead on the hour.
However, a battered and bruised home side fought their way back into a physical contest, with Miovski's well-placed header setting up a frantic finale.
Aberdeen had to settle for a draw, though, and are joint bottom of Group G along with their Finnish visitors after PAOK beat Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 in Greece.
"I'm frustrated. I think we deserved to win the game," said manager Barry Robson. "They had one shot at goal but we had 17. We needed to be more clinical and if we had done that we could have won by three or four.
"The game has to be officiated at the correct standard, and I didn't think the standard was right tonight. There was a lot of things happened out on the pitch that weren't right. I think we all saw it."
A surprisingly subdued home crowd was finally awoken as the home side went close with two headed chances.
Duk's deft flick was saved instinctively by Jesse Ost, before Miovski's powered effort dropped agonisingly wide of a post.
On the European stage, it was never in doubt that the Aberdeen players would have to stick their heads above the parapet. Barry Robson's side more than met that task, but would leave wounded for it.
Duk's head would first collide with the arm of Georgios Kanellopoulos as home fans demanded the HJK player see red.
Instead, it would be Richard Jensen catching a glimpse of Aberdeen's famous colour when he suffered a cut after cracking heads with his Cape Verdean team-mate.
The tussling continued in the second period before HJK hit the front when Radulovic gratefully accept a cut back to stroke the ball far beyond Kelle Roos.
It seemed as though Aberdeen would remain without a point on their first adventure in European football proper since 2007/08, though Miovski's eighth goal of the season snatched a point as his side remained unbeaten in four games.
Salvation could well have become elation when Duk found himself through moments after the equaliser, but a lack of composure prevented a Pittodrie night to savour.
Player of the match - Bojan Miovski (Aberdeen)
Where would they be without him this year? The North Macedonian brings guile and killer instinct even when his side stumble around him.
'Missed opportunity for wasteful hosts' - analysis
Tyrone Smith, BBC Sport Scotland at Pittodrie
European football can be a steep learning curve - something this current crop of Aberdeen players are finding out.
There was plenty to like about their performance. It was organised, aggressive and high tempo. But to see off teams on the continental stage you need to be clinical, a quality that was lacking from the home side.
And that is what cost Aberdeen as they chased a maiden victory in Group G.
HJK didn't create many chances, but when the first one presented itself, they took it. Their hosts passed up a bucket load - the only positive being that Miovski did manage to take one of them.
This will undoubtedly feel like a missed opportunity for Aberdeen, who have sterner looking hurdles to try and overcome on the European stage over the coming weeks.
What they said
Helsinki 'couldn't handle' dominant Aberdeen - Barry Robson
Aberdeen striker Bojan Miovski: "It was a long first half, a lot of breaks, but second half we played much better. We're disappointed because we felt we could get three points.
"After my goal, I felt like we had them. Duk's chance after my goal was a key moment. He missed but it's okay. We will analyse the game and we'll look forward."
HJK head coach Toni Korkeakunnas: "It hurts to draw when you are ahead but overall I have to be pleased. The home crowd we're behind them and we could feel the pressure. Let's take this one and see what happens in Helsinki."I didn't see an elbow [on Duk]. I saw it, the Aberdeen player ran into our player. But I'm not a referee."
What's next?
Aberdeen are back in league action as they host winless St Johnstone (15:00 BST), ahead of their next European action as PAOK come to Pittodrie on 26 October (20:00 BST)