Atlético Málaga finish runners-up in Andalucían Cup following 4-1 defeat by Sporting Huelva
Málaga CF’s women’s team lost the final of the Andalucían Cup by 4-1 to First Division side, Sporting Club de Huelva, despite a hard-fought performance by the ‘Malaguistas’ who opened the scoring in minute 26 with a goal from Chari.
Both teams got off to a very nervous start in the final of the 1st Andalucían Cup, organised by the Royal Andalucían Football Federation in its centenary year. Little by little Atlético Málaga began connecting passes and arriving at the rival goal area, but the first goal arose from a set piece. A Noe corner was headed by Poti at the far post, allowing Chari, inside the area, to send the ball to the back of the net to put the ‘Malaguistas’ in the lead.
The Málaga goal served as a wake-up call for Sporting Huelva, who took advantage of a defensive imprecision on a back pass to equalise with a goal from Martín Prieto.
With the score board at 1-1, both teams fought in midfield to gain possession. Four minutes before the half-time whistle, Virgy transformed a rigorous foul on the edge of the area into a goal to give Sporting Huelva a 2-1 lead.
Navarrete made the most of half-time to bring on two new players. Miriam and Farfán substituted Judith and Chus in the search for an equaliser. However it was Sporting Huelva who scored next as Sandra headed the ball into the net following a corner kick, making it 3-1.
Conceding a third goal was a major psychological blow for the ‘Malaguistas’, however despite the score and a fourth rival goal, this time by Martín Prieto, they stayed in the game playing one-on-one against a First Division team.
This was a good experience for Atlético Málaga, their first final since becoming associated with Málaga CF. Despite their youth and the rival’s physical superiority, they performed well against a First Division side in the first Andalucían Cup.
Match stats:
Sporting Huelva: Nazaret (Sarita, 70') Elena (Elena, 59'), Sandra, Ana (Emma, 52') Joyce, Martín Prieto (Esperanza, 70') Virgy (Irene, 70') Patri, Castelló, Jenny (M.Teresa, 52') and Paula.
At. Málaga: Andrea, Poty, Marina (Geno, 83'), Cristina, Judith (Farfán, 46'), Noe, Chus (Miriam, 46' - Maese, 75') Janira, Cristi, Ángela (Amalia, 62') and Chari (Yurena, 62')
Goals:
0-1. Min 24. Chari
1-1. Min 32. Martin Prieto
2-1. Min 42. Virgy
3-1. Min 48. Sandra
4-1. Min 57. Martín Prieto
Referee: Figueroa Vázquez, Jorge. No cards were shown.
