2-1: UD Almería U19 'A' continue to make sporting history!
A clear dominance over Elche CF U19s and a superb brace from Rachad helped the homegrown players progress onto the next round of 16 of the Copa del Rey Juvenil for the first time.
Spectacular! There is no other adjective that can better describe what was lived in the Francisco Pomedio ground located in the town of Huércal de Almería where the UDA Academy youth team 'A'. UD Almería U19s 'A' managed to qualify for the first time in history for the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey Juvenil. The homegrown players had a clear dominance from start to finish until a brace from Rachad earned them award for great collective work beating Elche CF U19. With full-time already up, the score was 2-1 and it triggered a party in a crowded venue with 1000 spectators in the stands.
We didn't have to wait too long to see that UD Almería U19s 'A' bossed the ball. Concentrated from the beginning and encouraged by devoted fans, Alberto Lasarte's boys began to create threatening situations until the 10th minute, when Rachad dribbled past the two central defenders and also the goalkeeper to open the scoring 1-0. The minimal advantage did not make the youth U19 'A' settle. Quite the opposite, this difference seemed even shorter when Marsu hit the crossbar on 20 minutes. The hosts would start making more presence in the final third without feeling danger in their half of the pitch thanks to a great effort from all the footballers. Although the interval arrived with the teenage Rojiblancos 1-0 up, Younes nearly slammed in the second through a direct free-kick that grazed the post.
After the game restart, chances created by UD Almería while Elche CF hardly attacked, except for some crosses into the area that were saved perfectly by Bruno Iribarne. It was in the 61st minute, when a new combination of the unstoppable Almerienses ended up at the feet of Rachad, who despite first hitting the woodwork, put his name onto the scoresheet 2-0. The dominance by the Academy Rojiblancos was impressive. So much so that they were managing to outplay great rivals Elche CF U19 but who were unable to overcome Almeria.
Time began to wind down and Joan put the Elche goalkeeper to the test with two minutes to go. There would only be some moments of uncertainty when the time was up, at which point the Elicitanos got back into the game by pulling one back 2-1. Alberto Lasarte's boys were organised enough not to suffer and end up celebrating wildly with the UD Almería fans the progress for the first time since the Club existed to the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey Juvenil.
Match information:
UD Almería U19 'A': Bruno; Iker, Varó, Paco, Leal; Marcos Peña, Joan (Edu Plá, 89'), Marsu (Torres, 71'), Younes (Jorge, min. 80), Fede Oliva (Valen, 71') and Rachad (Gabri, 89').
Elche CF U19: Quirant; Nico, Pablo, Fran, Adam (Ali, 79'), Rodri, Baka, Gallego (Iván, 45'), Montero, Corco, Nordín (Carbonell, 61').
Goals: 1-0, 10': Rachad. 2-0, 61': Rachad. 2-1 92': Montero.
Referee: Navarrete Sánchez, from the Almería Referees School. He booked hosts Joan, Marcos Peña, Iker and Valen, as well as visitors Pablo and Rodri. In addition, visitor Ivan was sent off with a straight red card, in the 93rd minute.
Observations: Round of 16 of the Copa del Rey Juvenil. The match was played at the Francisco Pomedio ground located in the town of Huércal de Almería and was attended by 1,000 spectators. The UD Almería U19 'A' progress to the round of 16 of this tournament for the first time in history.
