Double despair, as defeats dent Simao destiny
Albacete 1
Pachecho 63
Maritimo 0
Maritimo's cup exit was confirmed in front of the lowest crowd of the season in Division 2. In a largely forgettable game, the only goal was scored by Pachecho after the Maritimo defence parted like the red sea, and he strode to the edge of the box before tucking the ball away.
Simao declined to talk to the press afterwards and kept his players in the dressing room for a full 45 mins after the final whistle. Albacete meanwhile are into the hat and their small but hardcore following were able to celebrate their progression by a 2-0 aggregate scoreline.
Other Cup results...
Numancia 1 Getafe 0 (Numancia through on aggregate), Levante 1 Malaga 1 (Levante through on aggregate), Mallorca 0 Racing 2 (Racing through on aggregate)
Semi Final draw...
Albacete v Numancia, Levante v Racing Santander
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Maritimo 1
OG 77
Getafe 2
Craioveanu 26
Gallardo 36
In a complete contrast to the dire of the previous evening, this game had everything except perhaps dependable defences. Incredibly open right from the first whistle, the game flowed from end to end as neither side seemed willing to concentrate on the more mundane things like marking and concentration. The away side were the first to take their chance, when a hopeful cross was aimed at Craioveanu, and the tall Romanian toe poked the ball home on the volley.
Alan then proceded to miss an absolute sitter after chasing down a long ball and skyed it over from 8 yards out. The goal-shy strikers proliferation was punished soon after, as Gallardo turned inside left back Eusebio to place a shot across Marcos and into the far side of the net.
The rest of the game saw heavy pressure by the home side as they fought to get a foothold, that their possession surely deserved. With less than a quarter of an hour remaining, Bulgarian substitute Bibshikov got to the byline and pulled back a wicked cross that got turned into his own net by Kome.
The last 10 minutes became an onslaught on the Gefafe goal, although the Spanish defence held firm, leaving Maritimo to rue their earlier missed opportunities and another 3 points squandered.
Other results...
Numancia 0 Mallorca 1, Levante 0 Racing 2, Albacte 1 Malaga 2
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TRANSFERS ...... TRANSFERS ......
Alonso. I couldn't settle on Merseyside.
Easily the biggest deal of the transfer window, saw Javi Alonso, cut short his brief career at Liverpool and return to the Basque country, signing for Athletic Bilbao. The move was shrouded in controvesy with former club Real Sociedad insisting the player had agreed to a clause in his contract when leaving for Anfield, that he would never join their biggest rivals.
Ross. Costa del Sold.
In Division 2, Malaga also pulled off a suprise, by bringing in Maurice Ross from Glasgow Rangers, as the fashion for signing British based foreigners started by Levante, continues apace.
Viera. I'm satisfied we've got our man.
In Lisbon, Benfica's announced the signing of Maritimo's problematic Brazilian Marcinho on a 5 year contract. Although speculation had linked the player to a return to his homeland, the significant offer from arguably the largest club in Portugal was as unexpected as it was welcome for his former employers.
Irueta and Lendoiro celebrate loan deal
Staying in Madeira, Deportivo La Coruna have signed Manduca on a 6 month deal that runs until the end of the season. The left footed wingman, although a gifted performer, had frustrated officials at Maritimo with his inconsistency. The club were reluctant to cash in however, as they feel he does possess the potential to become a major star in the Iberian league in years to come.
Manduca. Sorry to leave, eager to learn.
Mr Simao reflected on the deal...
"Both Bordeaux and Schalke actually tabled significant permanent bids for Mandy, but I genuinely felt that Depor's offer was likely to benefit him the most in the long term. I am confident that time spent in Galicia, will improve the player and he will return at the beginning of next season fresher and ready to take his game to a higher level."