Aberdeen's European Hopes Diminish After Draw with FC Noah
Aberdeen's aspirations for European advancement suffered a significant setback following a disappointing draw against the lesser-known Armenian team FC Noah in the Conference League.
After four matches, the Scottish Cup winners have accumulated only two points, with their final two fixtures against pre-tournament favorites Strasbourg and Czech side Sparta Prague.
This match represented their best opportunity for a vital three points, a sentiment acknowledged by manager Jimmy Thelin, who labeled it a "must-win" game before kickoff.
At half-time, victory seemed within reach. Kevin Nisbet opened the scoring for Aberdeen after a well-crafted setup by Topi Keskinen, giving them a lead at the end of a lackluster first half.
However, that advantage was short-lived.
Noah, who had been largely uninspired in the opening phase, came alive in the second half, quickly equalizing with a remarkable header from Nardin Mulahusejnovic.
This goal drained the energy from Pittodrie Stadium, with Noah enjoying extended periods of possession, albeit struggling to create clear scoring opportunities.
The best chance to secure a win fell to Aberdeen's substitute Nicolas Milanovic, but the Australian forward could only find the side netting when presented with a one-on-one opportunity.
Analysis: Unbeaten in Five but Aberdeen Struggling for Style and Substance
It has been a month since Aberdeen last tasted defeat, with two wins from their last five matches. While their recent victory over Hearts lacked flair, it hinted at newfound defensive solidity, a trend that continued into the first half.
However, Noah, currently positioned fifth in the Armenian top flight, displayed greater hunger and threat in the second half. The introduction of Brazilian forward Matheus Aias proved pivotal, as he provided the assist for their equalizing goal with an excellent cross that allowed Mulahusejnovic to power a header past goalkeeper Mitov.
At the final whistle, Aberdeen marked their eighth consecutive game without scoring two or more goals.
They continue to struggle with their finishing, and this inefficiency has once again cost them. Despite having ten attempts on goal, only three were on target, leading to visible frustration among the fans at the conclusion of the match.
Such disappointment may be justified. This is a Noah team that finished 31st in the Conference League table last season and has not secured a win in their last three matches. They traveled nearly 3,500 miles and across four time zones to earn a draw that they appeared more eager to achieve.
Currently, Aberdeen seems to lack attacking creativity, relying heavily on Jesper Karlsson. The Swedish international, who missed the victory against Hearts due to personal reasons, returned to action on Thursday but struggled to find support in a team that appears to lack quality around him.
What's Next?
Aberdeen will host Livingston at Pittodrie in Scottish Premiership action on Sunday, 30 November, at 15:00 GMT.