As religious pilgrims headed up the TF 1 motorway to Candelaria for the big holiday celebration a coach load of Armada Sur headed to Santa Cruz for the CD Tenerife presentation game against Las Palmas. I was longing to be back on the terracing at the Heliodoro but others were less keen, the wide open spaces reflected a poor crowd, reported in various outlets as 3,000 and 6,000 (don’t be so silly) it showed that the fans have to be won over again. A 1-0 defeat was an improvement on the 3-0 drubbing in Fridays away leg but it’s going to take some time for the new squad to settle.
The new home kit looked good as the squad posed for pre match photos, when the names were announced the last 3 contract rebels Bellvis, Hidalgo and Berenger were roundly booed and the Pios were met with silence as only a small handful of their fans travelled for this unwanted friendly. Tenerife played well in the first half, Kiko is a good target man but needs a younger faster striker to play off him, the big forward was a little blunt when through on goal and the Pio keeper as able to snatch the ball ooff him. Cristobal supported well from full back and Marcos Rodriguez showed plenty of industry at the heart of the team.
Tacon has impressed in the friendlies with his runs on the right and he teased Kiko with a great cross but the big man couldn’t provide the finish. Luna and Tarantino had a few shaky moments in the centre of the home defence but a score less half time was about right. Just after the break Suarez gave Las Palmas the lead with a free kick that brushed the post. Kiko had another good chance but hit it straight at the keeper. The substitutions came thick and fast and disturbed Tenerife’s rythmn. Nico was the pick of the replacements and Tarantino headed his effort over the bar when he could have levelled. Jorge Perona (above 11) showed some nice touches but when Kiko hit the post it seemed to confirm that the home goal wasn’t coming, those goals will need to flow in the league. It all gets serious next Sunday with the visit of Vecindario but there may be a few more signings before then.