You know what it’s like, your away, playing badly, not making an impression on the game but you sneak a 1-0 win – result or what. Sadly this 1-0 win over Leganes was at home and the 9,353 fans really deserved better than this half hearted display. Both halfs Tenerife came out flat with no drive or passion, maybe they thought lowly Leganes were easy pickings, a dangerous state of mind to adopt.
Captain Kiko has been the subject of a fair bit of sniping from some fans who question his contribution and at 34 see him as yesterdays man. The skipper was out injured today and boy was he missed, as a target man and aerial threat he still has plenty to offer and as a local born player with blue and white blood he inspires respect and shows leadership. Victor Bravo partnered Perona up front but he drifted wide a lot and with poor service and it didn’t quite gell. Luna and Kitoko also failed fitness tests and Ayoze (below) held his place in the centre of defence with Marcos taking the midfield holding role.
A cold start saw Leganes create two early chances, Cristobal (top pic) did well to hook one away and another went wide. Tenerife didn’t get near the visitors goal until 10 minutes into the game and Zazo had the first clear chance five minutes later with a header that was cleared. Chechu was having a quiet game even before he was pole axed and narrowly avoided a stretcher ride before being helped off for a few minutes treatment. Vincent Perez was buzzing everywhere for Leganes and Victor Fernandez was bearing down on goal, thankfully Sergio slid out to take the ball. A goal less first half looked like the best we could hope for but with the referees whistle poised for action Ferran Tacon set Perona clear and he ran the ball and finished coolly-phew that was handy.
The second half was little better, Nico replaced Chechu but the birthday boy and the drifting Bravo were getting in each others way on the left. Perona had a chance to make it 2-0 but Bayon intercepted well, German came on for Bravo (above) and played a more central striking role but went down too easily when challenged. With 10 minutes to go a Leganes free kick was struck low and hard through a scrum of players, Sergio was equal to it crouching low for a vital save. German had a late opening but Falcon the visiting keeper swooped to claim the ball. A win’s a win but it was far from convincing.
Grazing cattle, digging for buried treasure, or planting spuds, just what had SS Reyes done to their pitch for the visit of CD Tenerife? Despite a stampede towards goal all game CD Tenerife just couldn’t score and had to settle for a O-O draw although the gardeners nightmare of a pitch couldn’t be blamed.
With Luna suspended local boy Ayoze Placeres made his seasonal debut in the heart of defence with Tarantino at left back and Cristobal filling the right slot. Tenerife came out flying, Perona fed Kiko who turned and lashed a shot at the home goalie. Zazo looked sharp too trying a long lob that just went over the bar and giving second best to a defender a few minues later trying to pop the ball in at the post. Chechu Flores (above) got busy down the wing hurdling a few defenders before the keeper blocked him and Tacon put his long range effort wide. Very encouraging with Reyes hardly making a mark.
Cristobal slipped as Reyes woke up and mounted an attack, the defender recovered well and headed an attempted cross out of play. Bravo was on the bench again but Kiko was showing his worth with an ambitious back header while at the other end Medina missjudged the bounce of the ball but the incoming attacker fired wide. The last 10 minutes of the half were a little jittery as the Sanse side warmed to their task. During the break the groundsman planted a few more turnips and carrots but thankfully was stopped from bringing the chickens back out. Kiko opened the second half challenging the keeper for a high ball at the post, the stopper just came out on top.The big forward then showed his skill chesting the ball down perfectly with his back to goal to invite a Zazo shot that went wide.
Victor Bravo came on for Perona and was soon into the attack with a clear run on goal that the home keeper did well to smother. On came Nico for Kiko giving a complete change to the attack. Nico made a good chance on the right only to see Bravo’s shot find the goalie. A draw was looking the likely outcome but Sergio had a hairy moment in Tenerife’s goal, needing a second attempt to grab the ball with Reyes closing in on goal. Ferran Tacon (above) had the last couple of chances, skipping along the edge of the box and shooting wide with after a fruitless wait for support, in the dying seconds he went down in the area but there was no contact, no appeal and no score as the final whistle went.
So many good things to say today about a game that had everything, including the right result, 3-1 for CD Tenerife at home to Rayo Vallecano B. The crowd were whipped up into a patriotic frenzy with a fantastic home made terrace mosaic of the Canarian independence flag, following yesterdays celebration of its founding. That buzz seemed to infect the players as they started at a cracking pace with both sides creating chances. More changes saw Cristobal at right back, Tarantino left back, and Perona up front with Kiko and Zazo supporting in a four man midfield.
The shape looked good, Chechu Flores, fit at last, was hard working and productive and Zazo was always looking to attack the Rayo defence. The visitors looked one of the better sides to come to Santa Cruz, former Pio Rayco was a handful but Medina was a rock at the heart of the defence. The consistent defender squeezed a promising Rayo attack wide of the post after 20 minutes and a few minutes later Tenerife charged forward and a blatant foul on Zazo in the box produced a penalty. Thankfully Kiko has lost that little job and Perona calmly placed the ball in the bottom right of the net as the goalie dived the other way.
Chechu was alert soon after to pounce on a poor clearance by the keeper and his cross to Kiko deserved a better finish. Into the second half, Perona was having a personal duel with a visiting defender but that was leaving space for the other Tenerife players to exploit, Kiko (above) drilled a shot wide that should have increased the lead. Coach Calderon made a double change bringing Victor Bravo and Meji on for Chechu and Perona, it had an instant effect as Bravo smashed home a goal with his first touch of the ball. Just when it looked comfortable Luna got a straight red for a foul in the Rayo box, he was certainly the last defender and once a foul was called he had to go. Rayco stepped up to make it 2-1 and put the pressure on 10 man Tenerife.
Some quick juggling saw Kitoko drop back into the centre of defence, a role he always fills with assurity, Calderon made his last switch adding Marcos for Kiko and Bravo took the main forward role. Ferran Tacon (above)was in tormenting form down the right and chances were coming frequently for CDT. After 82 minutes Bravo saw his chance and shook off his marker to blast his second goal and kill off Rayo’s hopes. That didn’t stop Tenerife from pushing for more, Bravo came close to a hat trick lobbing the oncoming keeper but sadly he was offside. There was still time for a comedy moment as the ref reversed and tumbled slowly to the ground, off course we all gave him the utmost sympathy for his loss of face. At least his whistle was undamaged and he was able to blow for time to close a very rewarding and entertaining afternoon.
Travelling to Real Madrid Castilla, B team of Mourinho’s millionaires, CD Tenerife needed to be at their very best but this was like the bad old days, three goals conceeded in the 3-1 defeat, and six players booked. Most of this season is going to be a diet of mediocre opponents but there are a few that will be genuine contenders for the four promotion play off spots in this section of Segunda B. Castilla although a little cynical, wonder where they get that from, are definately one of the sides that have the quality to rise above the pack.
It all started so well for the near 200 CDT fans that made the trip, Tenerife were playing good passing football and Ferran Tacon and Kiko both went close in the first ten minutes. Victor Bravo tested the home keeper with one of his free kicks while at the other end Sergio Aragoneses snuffed out a long range Madrid effort. Disaster struck after 26 minutes when a penalty was given against Kitoko for hand ball, the replay showed he moved his hand towards the ball as it was heading out of the danger zone. Joselu stepped up to make it 1-0 and suuddenly Tenerife looked a shadow of the confident starters. Madrid seized the initiative, Sergio had to react well to stop Morata and Fernandez curled a clever shot just over the bar.
Into the second half and a defensive lapse saw the margin doubled, Juanera ran down the right and with Meji out of position Tarantino tried to cover but the home player played the ball past him and went on to put in a cross that Morata was able to tap in. Castilla had a half hearted appeal a few minutes later when the ball struck Tarantino’s hand just inside the box, thankfully the ref wasn’t interested. Perona missed a decent chance in front of goal just before Madrid grabbed a third, Joselu cut in from the left and unleashed a shot that Sergio seemed to have reached but it beat his outstretched hand and bulged the net.
Coach Calderon brought on Nico for Bravo and it perked Tenerife up a little, Ferran Tacon was bearing down on goal and fired but it hit a home defender full in the face. Perona tested home goalie Mejias but he was equal to it with a one handed save. Zazo (above) on for Marcos pulled a goal back with a well flighted free kick with 10 minutes waiting but despite an attempt by Nico and a late save from Zazo, Tenerife paid the price for a poor second half display.
Who? That’s what most people said when opponents Montañeros were mentioned but big names or not CD Tenerife still have to be professional and earn their victories. This 3-0 home win was a big improvement on the last two displays but there is still room for improvement, not a bad position to be in at this early stage. Coach Calderon likes to tweak and experiment with the full squad, sometimes irritating but with a season that may be stretched by play offs it should pay dividends in the long run.
Back came Kitoko into midfield to partner Marcos and Tenerife set off at a brisk pace against a very ordinary opposition. Kiko headed over after four minutes and as the Santa Cruz rain gave way to sunshine Tenerife carved themselves a rare early goal. Cristobal flashed the ball in front of the visitors goalmouth and Ferran Tacon latched onto it and found a waiting space just wide of the keeper. Herbert tried to hit back with a curled shot that Sergio held easily but the home keeper had a let off miss judging a bounce that came off his head, it was off side but still caused a flutter.
A second goal was definately needed and it came with a large slice of luck as Kitoko’s shot took a big deflection that fooled keeper Rafa making it 2-o after just 21 minutes.Perona looked a little lost out wide on the right flank but he still managed to have a pop at goal on the half hour mark. Montañero had their only decent chance of the half just before the break but Sergio cleared strongly with a two fisted punt. It could have been a worrying start to the second half as Tarantino got a yellow for a wild foul. Instead Tenerife pushed for another goal, Nico came on for Bravo and it was good to hear Luna get generous applause as he warmed up as one of the other subs, the fans agreeing with the manager that its time to move on from his dispute.
Ruben Rosquete replaced Perona and was straight into the attack, closing in on goal before being tussled wide by a defender. How about a nice set piece goal? No problem, Nico slung in a tempting corner and Kiko rose to head it into the net with some power. The game was just about over when Zazo came on for Kiko but he had a one on one race (above) with the goalie who stuck out a foot and just diverted his attempt away from the goal. A well deserved win to keep the pressure on Lugo at the top of the table and a pleasing 9,241 crowd went away with plenty to smile about.
Well that’s the unbeaten league record gone, a 1-0 morning defeat at Getafe B caught a few players lacking the fighting spirit, how they react will tell us a lot about the squad and the coach. It should have been at least an away draw, Getafe didn’t give Sergio too much too worry about in the CDT goal but with a penalty awarded to each side Getafe shaded it with a better spot kick.
Abel returned to the midfield and Rosquete held his place up front but had a quiet half a game before being replaced. Victor Bravo (above) buzzed all game, if his team mates had shown as much invention it would have been a stroll, he clearfed an early Getafe raid and forced a corner with a deflected shot off a defender all in the first 10 minutes. From a foul on Kiko the lively Bravo hit a testing free kick that the home keeper did well to tip over and he followed that up by forcing a corner from a retreating defender.
Then after 19 minutes Kiko went down in the box, stepping up to take the penalty he hit it low and soft and the keeper had an age to dive and save it. Tarantino and Meji got in a tangle at the other end and nearly let their hosts in for an easy chance just before Tarantino was judged to have handled in the area – it looked more like the ball hit him with the help of a flick off his leg. Tello took no chances and hit his kick straight and past Sergio. Bravo was off on a run again but forced wide couldn’t quite squeeze the ball to the waiting Kiko, he had two more attempts before the break, a long free kick the keeper saved and a duel with the goalie that the advancing stopper just got to first.
Some Tenerife players seem to struggle to compete for a full game, Rosquete made way for Perona (above) but he looked a bit sluggish as well, Nico replaced Ferran Tacon and offered support only in bursts. Ortuno could have made it 2-o but headed wide when clear through, Bravo still had plenty of ideas and set up Kiko but his header missed the target. Marcos was a dependable prescence in midfield but Tenerife lacked that spark to open up Getafe. Nico added a wild shot and a tame free kick to the mix and Kiko latched onto a Tarantino long pass only to be stopped by a dogged defender.
Sergio had the Tenerife fans twitching with a bit of ball juggling outside his area and Kiko closed the show with another shot that was easily rounded up by the home keeper. A frustrating defeat but it’s early days and a good home win next week will keep us in the mix.
It was harder work than it should have been, chances were squandered, and the team switched off for large parts of the game but a 1-o home win can never be a bad thing. Curuxo were another of the great unknowns, hailing from a town of just 5,000 people not much was expected of them and maybe CD Tenerife took them lightly. Tall forward Zurbano was the visitors biggest threat in the first half but became the biggest idiot with a suicidal sending off just into the second half to give Tenerife a man advantage that they struggled to exploit.
There’s no room to relax for CDT players under coach Calderon, he surprised everyone again by not returning fit again Perona to the starting attack, preferring to keep faith with Ruben Rosquete and he certainly madethe most of it. Nico got a start at the expense of Abel or Kitoko in midfield and Tenerife dominated the early play. Zurbano’s height was proving a problem for the home defence but Kiko and Rosquete had some good openings from moves down the flanks by Nico and Tacon (below). Alberto in the away goal looked pretty sound and contributed to stifling Tenerife’s goal ambitions.
Zurbano started to create more problems, Cristobal did well to head clear after the forward was through but just before half time Zurbano pushed his luck with a blatant hand ball that he tried to blame on a Tenerife player. A little melee near the benches saw three yellow cards dished out in the break including the big Coruxo forward, we were hoping he might get sent off and he obliged us a daft second yellow within two minutes of the restart – now surely it would be easy? Rosquete got his reward after 55 minutes with a well taken goal, quite a moment for the local player given a second chance at the club. A few minutes later he went off to loud applaude from the 10,229 crowd to be replaced by Perona.
Kiko was not having one of his best games and he couldn’t get the shots he needed on target, Josmar came on for Nico but was played wide on the left, a waste of his attacking talents. Perona put a weak shot straight into the goalies hands and then he and Kiko got in a muddle in front of goal and watched the ball trickle wide. Josmar had a cheeky attempt trying to chip the out of position keeper but he managed to claw it to safety. Coruxo had nothing to lose and with Tenerife sitting back they pushed forward. Sergio made a couple of strong saves, one shot flashed by the goal post, and Yeray, the La Palma born sub skied a clear chance with the goal gaping before him. It was a win, not comfortable in the end but they all count and Tenerife are back on top for at least a few hours.
It’s all about the squad for CD Tenerife this season as they fight for a quick return to the Segunda Division. Winning 2-1 at Albacete was pleasing on so many levels, the quality of opposition, a club we are familiar with from recent seasons, and most of all making not so obvious changes and being rewarded for them.
Going into the game Perona was missing through injury, last week at home his early departure saw German fill the void but it didn’t really work. Many of us expected Nico to come in from the start in a supporting role behind Kiko but coach Calderon went for Ruben Rosquete and he had a fine game. Also last week it seemed that Marcos and Kitoko were trying to play the same midfield role, another surprise change with Abel drafted in for Kitoko, the local lad also impressed as he did in the first game of the season.
Bright new talents are making their mark at Tenerife this season but the old reliables are giving them plenty of confidence, Sergio was again outstanding in goal, particularly with a great save just before Kiko grabbed the lead after 24 minutes. Victor Bravo (above) adds his own special qualities to the mix and he made it 2-0 after 30 minutes with a direct free kick, Tenerife were cruising. The second half saw the coach use all three subs, Kitoko for Bravo after 60 minutes, Nico for Rosquete 8 minutes later, and new boy Chechu Flores for Abel after 77 minutes.
Albacete pulled one back after 73 minutes through Calle after a slip up by Meji (above) but Tenerife stood firm and had chances to increase the score, Ferran Tacon moved into a more central attacking role to support Kiko. It was a momentous win in front of a paltry 4,000 crowd, even if it was the early morning after the areas big fiesta. It leaves Tenerife top and clear by one point ahead of La Roda and Lugo who look strong with a game in hand and their own 2-1 away win at Oviedo. On Sunday Coruxo are the visitors to Santa Cruz for another noon kick off, the attendance should easily bust through the 10,000 mark, the fans like what they are seeing.
This week has been a reality check for CD Tenerife, crashing out of the Copa del Rey 2-0 at lowly Cerceda on Wednesday was followed by a 1-1 home draw with UB Conquense. It’s already clear that CDT have some skillfull players and want to play a good attacking style of play but that may not be enough on its own, poor refereeing and teams with spoiler tactics will lay in wait at the most awkward moments. It’s gonna be quite a scrap to get promoted from Segunda B.
It was an early start for the first noon kick off and the Santa Cruz weather was in a playful mood mixing hot sunshine with clouds and heavy showers. The Tenerife defence has a good solid look to it these days, Tarantino and Medina make a good central pairing, Cristobal is cool on the ball at right back and Meji is an aggressive ball winner on the left. Conquense are not one of the fancied teams in this division and showed little in the early play but they created chances as the first half went on. Kiko was leading the line well for Tenerife but loosing the injured Perona after 25 minutes was a blow, German replaced him but lacks his team mates experience and eye for a half chance.
The visitors had already shown a glimpse of their cynical style in the first half and that got worse in the second half, the poor quality ref did little to discourage their diving and play acting. Kiko made it a good re-start with a chip shot in the area just 4 minutes in to make it 1-0, the 9,539 crowd hoped this would drive the clouds away but Conquense were stubborn and kept coming. Selva pulled them level pouncing on a free header after Sergio could only get a hand to a shot to deflect it off the post. Tenerife looked for a way back, a free kick bounced off the post, German had a decent opening but was squeezed out by two defenders, and Nico, on for Kitoko, was bundled down in the area with no penalty given.
The referee infuriated the crowd by missing several obvious fouls, even in the final minute Kiko was held down by an arm when through on goal. At the other end Conquense had their chances to grab the game but Sergio was on top of his game with some great saves especially from Cristian. A draw was not quite what we were looking for but it keeps Tenerife in top spot, with a tough away game at Albacete next Sunday.
The smiles were back at the Heliodoro, as a statement of intent this 3-0 home win over Vecindario was the perfect way to reward the 8,206 crowd at the start of a new era in the unknown waters of Segunda B. Pre season was a little disjointed with so many new players to bed in but it all came together with an all round solid team display brimming with individual creative flair and slick football.
There was a late scare when Kitoko’s clearance didn’t come through to resume last seasons loan so the midfielder was replaced by a home debut for local product Abel and he slotted in well looking very comfortable on the ball. The ink has only just dried on Luna’s new lower pay contract but it looks like he could be on the way out to a Segunda team, a niggling injury kept him out for the derby but Medina made an impressive replacement alongside Tarantino in the heart of the defence and Vecindario got little joy on their few first half attacks.
Up front Kiko (top pic) led the line with power and passion, a second minute header just missed the target, his presence and ability to hold the ball up was a gilt edged invite for Bravo and Ferran Tacon to carve out strong attacks. Marcos Rodriguez was a calm creative head in the centre of midfield and the whole team had a quiet confidence that inspired hope for the second half. Just two minutes after the restart Victor Bravo showed his class scoring a cool goal that was well deserved. Five minutes later another Bravo was there again this time laying off a perfect pass to Perona to make it 2-0. The players must have been sweltering in the 31 degree heat but they didn’t show it, Bravo made way for Nico and he was soon showing his attacking flair on the left wing. Sergio had a fairly quiet afternoon in the home goal but was alert to deny Ruyman after 65 minutes.
Holding and building on a lead has so often been a problem for Tenerife but there was a hunger in the team, the third goal was a beauty with the ball being stroked around from the back and taken on an agressive run by Nico (above) who finished with precision. There is a lot of versatility about the new squad, Nico and Tacon swapped flanks and looked equally at home, German came off the bech and was unlucky not to add a fourth goal and Perona nearly had the final work but the Vecindario keeper got a foot to his goal bound shot. It was hard to see any bad points about this game, even the silly bookings were missing. Fans are starting to get to know and appreciate the new players, Nico could well be the big crowd pleaser, he ran to the fans to milk the applause for his goal and was first to salute the supporters at the final whistle. Bring on the next game, it can’t come soon enough.