El Palo - An Englishman Abroad
Feb 20, 2023 21:03:59 GMT
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Post by dudleyhatter on Feb 20, 2023 21:03:59 GMT
So that was a very interesting time! Two things I didn’t realise before the game were that were that our new signing played for Boca Juniors in Argentina (winning the league, cup and Copa America with them in 2012) and that Boca Juniors have a large fan base in Málaga.
These two factors combined to produce a group of 30/40 very noisy fans wearing yellow and blue, waving matching giant umbrellas in the air as well as the addition of some giant flags at one end!
My colleagues were concerned about the noisy away fans and I said no way are they supporting an academy side! I was correct and it made for a great atmosphere as our drummer joined them, and then got replaced, as they sang their own songs- editing in El Palo’s name as well as joining in some of our own chants! Our group had swelled to double Brit figures for this game!
And on to the game, the tank’s first touch showed his time out of the game as his boots appeared to be leaden. The same incident, about six minutes in, saw Ito go down in the box whilst challenging for the ball. It was to be his last action as he was carried off, as he passed us his ankle was already the size of a water melon! He was replaced by Falu.
During the first half we dominated the game, controlling the ball well, moving across the pitch and stretching them down both flanks. A number of shots looked good and the keeper did very well to push away a well hit low shot from our Brazilian midfielder. Despite this overwhelming play, we failed once again to score before half time.
Some nervous comments amongst some of the faithful but I said we don’t panic if we haven’t scored and keep playing trusting that the opportunity will come and be taken.
Once again we started the second half well and had a few quick opportunities but then they adjusted their shape and for a fifteen minute period it looked as though the game might slip away. Having said that Málaga city had not at this point produced anything of note…but there is always that possibility! Marbella were playing at the time and were also goalless- the curse of the modern era. No fun like at Halifax in 1990 when someone said that Southend had equalised and so we invaded the pitch!
With just eleven minutes left on the clock we had a corner on the left and Faluuuuuuuuu found space in front of his man and the keeper and headed home from close range. Cue euphoria in the stands and high fives all round. By the time we sat down Marbella had also scored, damn it!
This was soon forgotten as we charged back up the field and the ball was lifted toward the goal but no, not this time. We continued to surge forward pushing them back and on eighty six the ball was lifted over the defence and Falu ran through and placed a header high over the keeper into the back of the net!!!!
From here we saw out the game comfortably and the most surprising thing to all of us was that the tank had managed the full 90! His class showed every time the ball came close to him. Marbella also held on for their victory leaving all three at the top on forty eight points. The most interesting news came later as Real Jaén failed to score at home for the first time this season gaining just one point from their draw…
These two factors combined to produce a group of 30/40 very noisy fans wearing yellow and blue, waving matching giant umbrellas in the air as well as the addition of some giant flags at one end!
My colleagues were concerned about the noisy away fans and I said no way are they supporting an academy side! I was correct and it made for a great atmosphere as our drummer joined them, and then got replaced, as they sang their own songs- editing in El Palo’s name as well as joining in some of our own chants! Our group had swelled to double Brit figures for this game!
And on to the game, the tank’s first touch showed his time out of the game as his boots appeared to be leaden. The same incident, about six minutes in, saw Ito go down in the box whilst challenging for the ball. It was to be his last action as he was carried off, as he passed us his ankle was already the size of a water melon! He was replaced by Falu.
During the first half we dominated the game, controlling the ball well, moving across the pitch and stretching them down both flanks. A number of shots looked good and the keeper did very well to push away a well hit low shot from our Brazilian midfielder. Despite this overwhelming play, we failed once again to score before half time.
Some nervous comments amongst some of the faithful but I said we don’t panic if we haven’t scored and keep playing trusting that the opportunity will come and be taken.
Once again we started the second half well and had a few quick opportunities but then they adjusted their shape and for a fifteen minute period it looked as though the game might slip away. Having said that Málaga city had not at this point produced anything of note…but there is always that possibility! Marbella were playing at the time and were also goalless- the curse of the modern era. No fun like at Halifax in 1990 when someone said that Southend had equalised and so we invaded the pitch!
With just eleven minutes left on the clock we had a corner on the left and Faluuuuuuuuu found space in front of his man and the keeper and headed home from close range. Cue euphoria in the stands and high fives all round. By the time we sat down Marbella had also scored, damn it!
This was soon forgotten as we charged back up the field and the ball was lifted toward the goal but no, not this time. We continued to surge forward pushing them back and on eighty six the ball was lifted over the defence and Falu ran through and placed a header high over the keeper into the back of the net!!!!
From here we saw out the game comfortably and the most surprising thing to all of us was that the tank had managed the full 90! His class showed every time the ball came close to him. Marbella also held on for their victory leaving all three at the top on forty eight points. The most interesting news came later as Real Jaén failed to score at home for the first time this season gaining just one point from their draw…