Málaga CF secured a 4-2 win over Qatar's Al Arabi at the Marbella Football Center in their third preseason friendly of the summer. Aaron Ochoa, Niño and Jauregi, who struck twice, got the goals for the Malaguistas.
A good crowd turned out at the Marbella Football Center on this warm evening. Juanfran Funes named the following starting-11: A. Herrero; C. Puga, Recio, Otu, Dani Sánchez; Arriaza, Rafa R.; D. Larrubia ©, Aaron Ochoa, Joaquín; Niño. The main talking point before kick-off was Alfonso Herrero's first appearance between the posts this preseason.
The Blue and Whites were the better side throughout the first half, controlling possession and dictating the tempo while creating regular openings, with Rafa Rodríguez particularly influential arriving from midfield. Málaga's opener came just before the midway point of the half. Aaron Ochoa latched onto Larrubia's pass from the right after Carlos Puga let the ball run through, before firing an unstoppable strike into the back of the net. A superb goal to make it 1-0 after 20 minutes.
Al Arabi equalised just before the break through Pablo Sarabia (1-1, 45') with virtually their only clear chance of the first half.
Málaga rediscovered their attacking edge after the restart. Dani Sánchez produced a superb run and cut the ball back across goal, allowing Niño to finish from close range and restore the hosts' lead (2-1, 54'). The striker from Rota was replaced by Eneko Jauregi in the 62nd minute, and the forward made an immediate impact, heading home Larrubia's superb cross with his very first touch to make it 3-1 just a minute later (63').
Issa Laye pulled one back for the Qatari side a few minutes later (3-2, 70'). Shortly afterwards, following the second hydration break of the match, Andrés Céspedes, Rafita, Izan Merino, Calero, Salinas, Juani, Ramón, Dani Lorenzo, Dotor and Lobete were all introduced.
Rafita, making his first appearance of preseason, as was Ramón, won a clear penalty, which Jauregi confidently converted to make it 4-2 in the 77th minute. The Basque striker completed a quick-fire brace to seal Málaga's first victory of preseason, following draws against Leicester City (3-3) and Al-Ittihad (2-2) in the club's opening two summer friendlies.
Málaga return to action tomorrow, Friday, when they take on Ceuta in their fourth preseason fixture at the Alfonso Murube Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00.