Osasuna did well to battle out a 3-3 draw Monday at Valencia in a thriller that closed the 15th round of Spanish league matches.

Both teams defended poorly, and both veteran goalkeepers - Cesar for Valencia and Ricardo for Osasuna - looked shaky.

Valencia were up 3-1 at half-time with goals from Roberto Soldado, Marius Stankevicius and Aritz Aduriz.

Juanfran had scored for Osasuna, but the team from Pamplona seemed destined for another defeat.

However, the visitors came forward manfully in the second half, and Miguel Flano reduced arrears in the 61st minute, after another mistake from Cesar.

Three minutes from time, with the Valencia defence looking edgy, supersub Carlos Aranda made it 3-3 with a left-footed toe poke. It was no more than Osasuna deserved.

Valencia were jeered off by their own fans at the end. Coach Unai Emery will face massive criticism for having brought back the 39- year-old Cesar - out injured for a month - instead of sticking by youngster Vicente Guaita.

Los Ches stay in fifth place with 25 points from 15 games. They are three points behind fourth-placed surprise package Espanyol, who lost 2-1 on Saturday in Bilbao.

Valencia are two points above Atletico Madrid and Getafe, who share sixth place.

Osasuna move up to 15th, a just reward for their defiance and courage. They are probably facing their usual relegation struggle but should manage to survive if they continue with the same positive attitude they showed in Mestalla.

الموضوع الاصلى : Defiant Osasuna battle out late draw in Valencia المصدر :منتدياتالأكام الكاتب: الأمير

الموضوع الاصلى : Defiant Osasuna battle out late draw in Valencia المصدر :منتدياتالأكام الكاتب: NiCe ~ GiRL