Sloppy Castellón overcome Algeciras (2-1)

Despite an extra time 1-0 loss last weekend in the Copa del Rey against Osasuna, the mood was as positive as ever at Castalia for the visit of eighth-placed Algeciras. The rojiblancos arrived on the heels of a draw and two losses, with the need to avoid a third to stay in playoff contention. For Castellón, it was an opportunity to end the first round of games perfect at home, and the albinegros did so in a close game, as a goal in each half proved too much for Algeciras to come back from.

The visitors had the first half chance eight minutes in, as a headed pass by Javi Cueto allowed Diego Esteban to get a shot off, but it was a tame effort and easily saved by Crettaz.

Castellón responded shortly before the 15-minute mark with two chances of their own. Raúl Sánchez fired a low shot at goal, which Lavín had to deflect round the post for a corner. It was then the turn of center-back Borja Granero to try a volley at goal after a good delivery, but the defender’s attempt did not trouble the keeper.

Five minutes later, though, Castellón’s goal-getter De Miguel was not so forgiving. A cutback from Medunjanin found Raúl Sánchez, whose shot was well saved by the Algeciras keeper. However, he could only manage to palm it into the path of De Miguel, and the number nine fired it into the back of the net for his 14th of the season.

Algeciras kept themselves in the game after the goal and launched a few assaults on the Castellón area, but none were incisive enough to generate any meaningful chances.

The half fizzled out with much of the action taking place away from both teams’ goals, and a number of inaccurate passes from both sides which hampered the construction of any threatening attacking play. Algeciras would certainly have been satisfied to be competing well at the hardest place to play in the division.

The second half started much the same as the first, although Castellón were soon able to set up camp more firmly in Algeciras’s half, and the visitors struggled to move up the pitch and get closer to Crettaz’s goal.

As the game passed the hour mark, there was a feeling that the game might peter out without much further action. However, Schreuder’s decision to introduce Mamadou Traoré and Julio Gracia in the place of Moyita and Borja Granero opened the game up. With a more technical midfielder and a powerful force on the wing, Castellón got their second.

A brilliant long ball from Crettaz found a surging Traoré in space, and the Malian cut inside to eventually find De Miguel. However, this time the scorer turned passer and found Raúl Sánchez with a cutback. The winger comfortably rolled it into the back of the net for Castellón’s second to finish off what was a clinical piece of counter-attacking play.

Algeciras did not give up, though, far from it, and a defensive lapse soon allowed the visitors to halve the deficit. Roldán’s cross found an unmarked Mario, and the striker had all the time in the world to place his header past Crettaz.

However, despite their best efforts, chances continued to come thick and fast for the albinegros. Villahermosa, Julio Gracia, and De Miguel all went close, and Traoré continued to be a major thorn in Algeciras’s side on the left.

The domination continued into extra time, and Isra Suero had perhaps the best chance of all after being set up by De Miguel, but Lavín made a good save to deny him. The keeper’s reflexes had to be sharp minutes later as Julio Gracia’s low shot almost made it three, but the game ended with only one goal in it. Castellon will look back on a slew of missed chances to kill the game, something Dick Schreuder rued in his post match press conference, as well as highlighting a number of individual errors that could have been costly.

The result leaves Castellón in first and perfect through the first round of games at home, with ten wins from ten. The albinegros visit Málaga next week to start the second round, in what will be a crucial game at the top of the table.

CD Castellón: Gonzalo, Chirino, Borja Granero (Julio Gracia 65), Salva Ruiz, Alberto, Iago Indias, Villahermosa, Raúl Sánchez (Suero 77), Moyita (Traoré 65), Medunjanin, De Miguel.

Algeciras: Marcos Lavín, Tomás, Admonio (Roldán 71), Yac Diori, Merchán (Zequi 62), David Martín (Borja Fernández 71), Montes Arce, Rodríguez, Diego Esteban, Mario (Milosevic 77), Javi Cueto (Sardinero 77)

Goals: De Miguel 20, Raúl Sánchez 69, Mario García 75

Referee: Carlos Muñiz Muñoz

Attendance: 10.599