1-2: Almería advance to Spanish Cup third-round after pulsating game on a frozen pitch
They beat Numancia with a brace coming from the foot of Robertone and sensational saves from shot-stopper Fernando.
Almería have qualified for the Spanish Cup third-round after beating Numancia by two goals to nil in a pulsating match, typical of this tournament. There were unquestionably two men of the match in Soria; while Robertone put his name onto the scoresheet twice, shot-stopper Fernando made sensational saves in decisive moments over a tough encounter in which the team braved the freezing weather and struggled to adapt to a frozen pitch.
José Gomes, predictably, made a totally different selection for his starting XI. Only left-back Akieme returned to action after last league game as he will sit out next Sunday’s game against Leganés, following a red card awarded. The Almeria’s line-up with first-team players, offered all the guarantees to face a match that was expected to be truly complicated because of the Second Division ‘B’ rivals’ quality and the icy weather conditions.
Almería did not have it clear from the kick-off to such an extent that the players seemed to feel uncomfortable on the field of play. Although they started taking the lead, soon Numancia pressed high and began to boss the game. It was definitely a tightly-contested match with the home team looking more comfortable in possession. In fact, the Sorianos had two clear goalscoring opportunities in the 7th and 34th minutes, yet saviour Fernando parried the ball. The Almeria team had to pull their socks up and played to their strengths, even though the freezing weather prevented Jose Gomes’ men from showing off skills. A big up to Robertone, who finished a crafted team play from the edge of the box with a superb low driven shot on 43 minutes. The opener gave the Rojiblancos a 0-1 advantage at half time.
After the match restart, brave Numancia tried to turn the game around and pushed hard for a leveller. So much so that with 53 minutes gone Fernando avoided the tie after denying a header from Asier Benito. However, the 57-minute equaliser came shortly after, through a penalty with Menudo converting from 12 yards after a handball from debutant Ivanildo Fernandes.
With 1-1 on the scoreboard, the game was becoming even more pulsating with all to play for. With 75 minutes on the clock, Ramazani’s thunderbolt from outside the area was deflected in off a corner kick by Jara. Keeps Fernando was once again the man of the match staging two more brilliant interventions in two separate shots fired on 83 and 85 minutes from Gabarre. Robertone produced the best piece of magic in the 90th minute making it 1-2 after a corner-kick. Nerves were frayed again because after 93 minutes, the woodwork avoided the 2-2 and the game going into extra time. Jose Gomes’ boys needed a positive result to keep their Spanish Cup aspirations alive and Robertone’s brace booked a place in the Copa del Rey third-round after wrapping up a 1-2 victory over Numancia de Soria at Los Pajaritos Stadium.