Playing against a Saudi side that when paid as a lot as £14,000,000 on former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, York gave an excellent account of themselves to earn a draw.
It brings an finish to City’s abroad journey to Alicante, Spain, the place they’ve been utilising the services at La Nucia Training Camp.
Supporters joined them in making the journey to Spain, and watched on because the Minstermen got here from behind to clinch a draw.
The consequence comes two days after York had performed Al-Ettifaq’s under-21’s side, and had eased to a 6-0 victory with objectives coming from Frankie Maguire, Ben Farrar, Dipo Akinyemi, Greg Olley and Joe Grey.
But as Stuart Maynard had stated final weekend after City had fallen to a 5-1 defeat against Premier League side Sunderland, he was anticipating a tough check when dealing with Saudi Pro League group Al-Ettifaq.
Playing of their blue and black third strip for the primary time, Maynard named a beginning 11 that was comparable to the side that completed against Al-Ettifaq’s under-21’s two days prior.
Alfie McNally acquired extra minutes between the sticks after signing on a season-long mortgage from Fulham, while Joe Felix continued to function in central midfield, fairly than his pure right-back place.
There was no Ollie Pearce, Mark Kitching, Arthur Read or Jeff King concerned, with all of them being rested.
Al-Ettifaq had a group that boasted expertise – with former Fulham, Celtic, Lyon and Atletico Madrid striker Moussa Dembele main the road.
It was a dream begin for the Minstermen although, as they stormed into an early lead.
Just 4 minutes in, Ryan Fallowfield produced a bullet header which beat the Al-Ettifaq goalkeeper.
The Saudi side had two early probabilities of their very own, however to no prevail with McNally stopping each, earlier than Felix had a low effort parried away by the opposition shot-stopper.
McNally then made a low save of his personal, earlier than the referee awarded Al-Ettifaq a penalty on the point of half-time.
Up stepped Dembele, who tucked away the penalty, changing into the primary participant to rating against McNally since he joined the membership.
Heading into the second-half, York went shut once more as Zech Medley sliced an effort simply over the bar.
Al-Ettifaq then pulled forward for the primary time within the sport with an excellent end from close-range.
York would have probabilities to draw degree as they ticked off the minutes of their pre-season pleasant, however the breakthrough wouldn’t come till the 82nd minute.
It was Felix who grabbed the leveller, producing a curling end from distance to make it 2-2.
City would finish the match with ten males as Ollie Banks was proven a crimson card with two minutes left to play, however Al-Ettifaq wouldn’t make the person benefit rely.
YORK CITY: McNally, Grey, Fallowfield, Johnson, Medley, Brookes, Hunt, Felix, Banks, Olley, Akinyemi
SUBS: Sykes-Kenworthy, Hewitt, Shelton, Williams, Farrar, Stiver, Newby
