Six games, including this one, to go to the end of this nail-biting season and still 18 points to play for. The league table still shows as many as eleven teams, if not more, in jeopardy of dropping into Segunda B division for next season, so apart from the three teams at the top in the promotion slots, every team is fighting for survival.
For Vecindario, the little team from Gran Canaria enjoying their first ever season in La Segunda, the fight is over as the bottom club are already mathematically relegated. The pressure is off them and they can now try to enjoy the remaining games of the season. The team, as befits the bottom club, has the worst record of the division in every department: worst goal difference, least number of goals scored etc and includes the one which frightened some of us before a ball was kicked – they had yet to record their first away game of the season. As Geoff said, they are quite likely to win against somebody away before the season ends, as it is very unusual for any team to go through 21 away games without a single win. We were hoping that it wasn’t to be against Malaga!
Manager Muniz had to do without left winger Calleja for this game after his sending off against Castilla last week. The straight and obvious replacement was Ernesto. Molinero returns after his suspension and so the team lined up in familiar terms:
Malaga (4-4-2): Goitia; Jesus Gamez, Armando, Jesule and Valcarce; Molinero, Hidalgo, Silva and Ernesto; Ivan Rosado and Counago.
Vecindario kick off in front of a 14,159 crowd defending the Fondo end. It’s a 6 o’clock kick off yet again televised live in Spain with the temperature at around 30oC and in full sunshine.
In 50” Molinero showed his worth as a winger when he reached the by-line and sent in a delightful cross into the box, but his target Rosado did not have enough height to reach it.
Malaga were looking to kill the game off quickly and maintained the pressure with Ernesto forcing the game’s first corner in 3’ down the left. His corner found Silva but the big defender headed over.
Vecindario had their first attempt on goal in the next minute but winger Aitor Goni’s effort from distance was well wide.
Again in 7’ Molinero gets to the by-line, but with three in the box waiting he overhits his cross and it goes for a throw.
In 8’ Jesus Gamez wins Malaga’s second corner. Ernesto takes and again finds Silva who with plenty of time completely misses the ball and the danger is cleared.
Molinero is getting plenty of room down the right wing and sends in another inviting cross; however his forwards were not quick enough to be in position to receive it.
The first save of the game is at the other end in 10’, when Goitia has to look lively to stop a Jesus Gamez back-pass.
Vecindario play-maker Carrizo has a go in 13’ after creating space for himself, but his shot is well wide of the post.
In 14’ Ernesto takes a free kick, trying to find Rosado, but it’s too high for “Pink”.
In 19’ Malaga have their best effort so far when Hidalgo slips the ball short to Molinero coming in off the right wing. The winger hits it beautifully and the shot beats the keeper but is blocked on the goal-line by a defender and goes out. Remarkably, a goal kick is awarded.
In 21’ Jesus Gamez gives away a free kick near the centre circle. Carrizo floats the ball into the crowded box. It looks quite innocuous to us but somehow KIRIAN gets his head to the ball first and Vecindario take a surprise lead!
Malaga 0 Vecindario 1
The goal is against the run of play and stuns the vociferous crowd. This was not the plan. The bottom club were here to be whipping boys and allow Malaga to climb a little way into a safer position in the table.
The very next minute, 23’, Ernesto has a chance for an immediate reply when Hidalgo is brought down 30 yards out. It’s a bit central but the winger tries a shot which goalkeeper Kelemen gathers easily.
In 25’ Ernesto has another chance when the ineffective Counago is tripped. This time the winger’s free kick is too strong missing his team-mates in the box and too wide to be on target.
In 26’ it’s Goitia who has to make another save, again from a long range effort from Carrizo.
In 28’ Malaga almost grab the equaliser. Molinero delivers another fine cross into the box which Kelemen tries and fails to cut out. Rosado sends a powerful drive goal ward only to see it kicked off the line by a defender.
In 29’ Counago puts Hidalgo through into the box and the keeper has to make a fine save on his line to block the shot.
Malaga maintain the pressure in the next minute when, after his free kick rebounds off the defensive wall back to him, Ernesto sends in a curling drive from 25 yards which Kelemen somehow gets to diving full length to stop the ball entering the goal at his left post.
It’s an enthralling contest and Malaga are creating plenty of good chances with lots of goalmouth action, but good goalkeeping and defending are keeping them out.
In 36’, disaster for Malaga. Carrizo sends a hopeful ball into Malaga’s penalty area and Michel runs into Valcarce and goes down. Valcarce is adjudged to have kicked him and a penalty is awarded. Valcarce is booked. Topscorer XISCO steps up to take the spot kick and sends Goitia the wrong way to score.
Malaga 0 Vecindario 2
The score line looks surreal on the giant scoreboard. This defeat would surely mean the end for Malaga in this division. If they cannot beat Vecindario at home, then they do not deserve any better. At this point it is difficult to see where Malaga can get three goals from to get the victory they desperately need.
In 40’ Vecindario almost go three ahead when Goitia has to make a fine full length diving save to stop a goal bound effort from Javi Morales.
In 41’ Muniz takes a brave decision by bringing on two substitutes. Desperate times require desperate measures. Off come Silva and Molinero and on come the giant striker Chengue Morales and dwarf playmaker Sandro, the latter for his first game in seven after his dreadful display in El Ejido. Malaga change to 4-3-3.
The changes almost pay off immediately when Chengue (remember, he’s the 8’3” Uruguayan powerhouse) beats the full back and fires in a shot from an acute angle. The shot looks goal-bound but somehow Kelemen makes a great save.
In 43’ Goitia again comes to Malaga’s rescue with the dangerous Xisco forcing the home keeper into another fine diving save.
In 44’ Counago and Jesus Gamez combine down the right flank to give Ernesto a chance. The left winger crashes in another shot on target which Kelemen does well to save on his line.
Half-time Malaga 0 Vecindario 2
Remember the tea lady? This was not a day for that wifie’s brew to slow down and upset the home team, as in previous games.
When the game restarted we noticed another formation change. Malaga had gone to 3-4-3 with Jesus Gamez operating more as a right winger.
Then, only two minutes into the half, in 47’ Muniz makes another change. To whistles from the crowd, Ernesto is taken off and Jonaton Valle is introduced. Different formations, all three subs on the field at the beginning of the second half. Muniz was showing some courage by using up all his options early. Would it pay off?
The very next minute, Sandro sends in a speculative long ball into the box. Chengue, Counago and the goalkeeper Kelemen all jump for it at the far post and all come crashing down in a heap. Result? Penalty! We are not arguing but we cannot remember when we last saw a penalty at La Rosaleda let alone two in a game. No matter. HIDALGO steps up and confidently puts the spot kick past the unlucky Kelemen.
Malaga 1 Vecindario 2
Getting the goal back so early in the half gave us some confidence, but Malaga still had to score another twice. The way other results were going and looking at the games left for each of the clubs slogging it out at the bottom, a win today was imperative.
In 50’ Jonaton Valle marked his entry into the game by getting booked for bringing down Javi Morales, who was about to run into the Malaga penalty area at the time. Carrizo takes the kick and saw the ball skiff the top of the bar as it went over. So close – and it showed that Vecindario were not here to lie down for Malaga.
In 53’ Counago feeds Rosado and Pink’s shot has keeper Kelemen diving and tipping the ball onto the post and out for a corner.
There’s a slight panic in the Malaga goalmouth in 54’ when Goitia takes a short pass back from Armando and kicks the ball against the inrushing Xisco. The ball could have ended up in the net but luckily it goes wide.
It’s been a pulsating and action packed game and full of incident, but Malaga were still 1-2 down and looking to get back into the game.
Michel becomes the first visitor to be booked for a foul on Hidalgo in 60’.
In 63’ Hidalgo bursts into the box after a strong run from the centre circle. Chengue is with him in support but the ex-Uruguayan international’s effort is parried away by Kelemen. However, ROSADO is lurking and pounces on the rebound to net from six yards, scoring his first goal for the club after joining in the January window. GOOOOAAAAALLL!!!! It’s the break Malaga needed. It’s the equaliser! We can breathe again, even if ever so slightly. Malaga are right back in this game. Can we go on and win it??
Malaga 2 Vecindario 2
In 65’ Chengue has a great chance to grab all the glory. He is put through one on one with Kelemen. He has plenty of time to compose himself and pick his spot, but instead he winds himself up for a powerful shot which he sends high into the upper tier.
It’s a dreadful miss but there can be no denying that since his introduction, his powerful presence and strong running off the ball has had a huge detrimental impact on Vecindario’s defence.
In 68’ Vecindario make their first change. Off comes winger Aitor Goni for midfielder Granero.
In 69’ Carrizo is booked for handball 20 yards out. However, there seems to be some disagreement amongst the players and they huddle around the referee. Perhaps they have seen something else? The referee runs across to his assistant and then runs back to the huddle. It’s another yellow card and thus a red for Jonaton Valle for kicking his opponent. He’s off. Malaga are down to ten men! Jonaton Valle has only been on for a little over 20 minutes! What did he contribute? Is his needless sending off going jeopardise Malaga’s whole season? Is he on loan and can we terminate the deal now? This is all we need. Drawing 2-2 against the bottom club at home, trying to find the winner and now reduced to ten men! Help!
It’s the 72nd minute before the free kick is taken. Remember it was handball and Hidalgo takes it. His shot is powerful and low and is just wide of the far post. The ball must have taken a deflection because a corner is awarded. Hidalgo takes the corner and picks out the giant Chengue in the box. He has a free header but has to watch it come off the crossbar.
In 74’ Vecindario make another substitution. Midfielder Michel is taken off for striker Mirosavlievic as the visitor’s sense that this could yet be their day to break their away games duck.
In 75’ Counago gets through past the defence into the box and goes down. There is no way the referee is going to award a third penalty in this game, though.
In 76’ Chengue breaks into the box from the left wing and sends in another crashing drive – but it’s into the side netting.
In 80’ Rondo comes on for Marcos Suarez as Vecindario make their final change.
In 81’ Sandro takes a free kick which Armando heads over.
In 82’ Sandro floats in another hopeful ball into the box. Chengue is there to meet it at the far post and Kelemen comes out to challenge. The ball breaks free and IVAN ROSADO is there again to pick up the scraps and poke the ball into the empty net. GOOOOAAALLLLL!!!! What an important goal! Well done Pink. Two valuable goals in this game! Rosado takes off his shirt and runs to the corner flag in celebration, for which he is booked. No matter. 10 man Malaga are in the lead. Salvation may be around the corner after all. Hello! Are we happy now? Well, happier, yes, but we have all been put through the mill backwards in this game.
Malaga 3 Vecindario 2
In 87’ Granero is booked for a foul on Sandro.
Then in 88’ Silva, who was subbed in the first half and is now sitting in the dugout, is booked after the referee’s attention to his offence is brought by the fourth official!
In 90’ Armando gives away a free kick in a dangerous position. Can Vecindario spoil the party? No, the ball flies over the bar.
Full time: Malaga 3 Vecindario 2
What a game! We are drained and in need of immediate refreshment at the full-time whistle. A valuable and necessary three points gained. Especially as both Alaves and Castilla have been beaten in their games, so a slight breathing space for the moment, but Malaga are by no means out of this yet. They have five games left: away to fellow strugglers Tenerife next Sunday, then a tough home game to promoted Real Murcia. Then away to local Andalucian rivals Almeria, who are also in the top three and promoted for the first time in 50 years. Then back home for their final home game against another local rival Cadiz – which is another difficult fixture. Then finally away to Castellon in Valencia province, in what could yet be the match that decides Malaga’s fate.
There is so much interest in Malaga’s fate that next week’s away game is again to be broadcast live on Spanish TV. Your Malaga CF Correspondent will be watching!
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