Málaga CF and Xerez Deportivo FC played one another for the first time in the XXXIV Vendimia Cup. This classic summer tournament was held this Saturday 30th July at the Chapín Municipal Stadium in front of 2,500 fans.
Pablo Guede selected the following starting line-up: Carlos López, Fomba, Moussa, Escassi, Andrés Caro, Víctor Olmo; Genaro, Álex Rico, Dani Lorenzo; Haitam and Loren.
The match was fairly even during the first 45 minutes. The locals and the visitors vied for possession and exchanged scoring opportunities. Homegrown Malaguista, Moussa was the first to come close to a goal. He headed a great corner kick from the right in the heart of the area, yet his attempt met the body of a defender who cleared the shot (0-0, 18’).
A well-positioned MCF comfortably controlled the rival's attacks mid-way through the first half. However, it was the team from Jerez that went ahead in minute 34. Striker G. Simeone took advantage of a forced clearance by Carlos López – a goalkeeper making his debut who had put on an impeccable performance up to that point - to make it 1-0.
The goal spurred on the locals who attempted to reach the Malaguista goal more frequently, but the Blue and Whites – wearing black this evening – averted further danger.
Just before half-time, the Malaguistas flirted with the goal again. Dani Lorenzo ran into a rival defender when he sought to surprise with an accurate shot from the heart of the area. The clearance fell to Víctor Olmo who sought out the goal from outside the box, but the ball sailed over the crossbar. At half-time the score was still 0-1.
In the second half, the teams made some changes. In 61’, Pablo Guede brought on seven players. MCF’s line-up was as follows: Manolo Reina (replaced Carlos López in the second half), Juanfran, Bustinza, Burgos, Ramalho, Javi Jiménez; Genaro, Jozabed, Febas; Haitam and Loren.
After just seven minutes, Javi Jiménez made a low, powerful cross to the penalty spot where Haitam was waiting. The homegrown player outwitted the rival goalkeeper with a rapid shot to take the match level at 1-1 in the 68th minute.
The striker from the MCF Academy then made way for Adrián López in 69’, who enjoyed his first minutes of the pre-season.
The final stretch of play weighed on the players. The suffocating temperatures and the accumulation of kilometres over recent days conditioned the pace of the match that was settled in the wide area of the pitch. Despite these conditions, Loren managed to score a goal in minute 86, however it was annulled by the referee who declared a foul on the Malaguista attack during the action.
When it looked as though it was all over, Genaro tipped the balance in favour of the Malaguistas. The midfielder gained possession of a rebound on the edge of the area and slammed the ball into the net with millimetre precision. A stunning goal that gave MCF the XXXIV Vendimia Cup.
