It seems that neither injuries, suspensions, or bang in form visitors can deflate the new confident spirit that coach Pep Marti has instilled in his first three games in charge. Cordoba were expected to be a stern test but showed little threat and were fortunate to lead after 60 minutes, CD Tenerife kept their faith and their determination and a Nano leveler after 84 minutes for a 1-1 draw was no more than the home team deserved.
The ever changing defence held up well with German and Jorge partnered in the centre as Carlos Ruiz sat out his suspension. Aitor nearly opened up Cordoba after 7 minutes when he found Omar who forced a save from former Santa Cruz favourite Razak. Jorge had a near miss a few minutes later as his header shaved the bar. Cordoba seemed content to sit back and wait for their chances but the Tenerife defence severely restricted them and it as one way traffic as rain showers swept over the pitch.
Jorge gets better every game, he looks a class player, reads the game well, and is assured on the ground and in the air. The visitors struggled to muster any chances, the best in the first 45 minutes was a late free kick that they casually wasted. Razak was almost caught out just after the break and had to scramble the ball aside to concede a corner. Cristo Gonzalez was a bit off the pace and was replaced by Tommy Martinez after 56 minutes, the Argentine player is now showing his worth whenever he comes on and links well with his teammates.
It was a classic sucker punch that gave Cordoba the lead after 61 minutes, Tenerife launched another attack but when they lost the ball they were a little slow to cover and Florin nipped in to grab the lead. Back came Tenerife, lifted by the 8,967 crowd, Tommy threatened only to see Razak react well to push the ball wide. Jairo came on for Omar and Nano relieved Ricardo, the changes freshened up the attack and another wave of pressure brought its reward. A Suso corner came out to Tommy and he fed the ball through to Nano who held himself just onside before slotting the ball in the net. Despite a last big push a winner never came but it was a good point against a fancied side and another boost to the growing confidence of the squad.
The players look to be enjoying their football again and the coach has been like a breath of fresh air in picking up 7 points from a possible 9. Let’s not forget he hasn’t yet had a full squad to pick from, our star striker Choco has yet to play for him and Pedro also sat out this latest game. The bubble, unlike our coach tyre, wasn’t ready to burst, even that had a silver lining for the Armada Sur on the way home as it bought us extra drinking time at a motorway café. I’ll drink to that!