What an all action gut grabber of a game, all we ask as fans is for players with as much passion and heart as ourselves. We got that and much more as CD Tenerife put the brakes on Segunda Division leaders Osasuna for a 2-2 home draw. Goalie Dani Hernandez played on despite having a five staple repair job on his head, and the loss to hospital of concussed striker Nano galvanized the 9 players (oh yes just 9) to grab an injury time leveller.
Coach Raul Agne had some big decisions to make pre game, Choco passed a late fitness test on his leg but just how fit would he be, and Suso was suspended. Cristo Gonzalez got the nod over Nano and Omar started as the wing player, there was little time to settle before Torres flighted a long range free kick beyond Dani, it could have been a disaster but was merely a setback. Cristo headed narrowly over and back in defence German was having one of his best games with Alberto always willing to drop back, he did well to rob Pucko as he looked to shoot.
Nino was expected to be the big threat but Kodro was their danger man, our former hero still has a nose for goal though and could have headed a killer strike if Raul Camara hadn’t forced him wide. Dani is always bold and strong in the air, he rose high to deny Miguel with a clearing punch but the players collided and Dani came off worse with blood seeping from his head. The Venezuela keeper struggled on for the final 10 minutes of the half and despite needing Carlos Ruiz to take his goal kicks he still managed a stunning finger tip save. The pain must have been considerable but was made bearable in injury time when Cristo tucked the ball in the visitors net after good work from Omar.
Tenerife re-emerged with Dani’s wound clamped together and within minutes Raul Camara got booked, that takes his tally to an automatic one game ban. Worse followed as Alberto got a straight red for an elbow in the face of Merino, maybe it was payback for previous rough treatment but it wasn’t subtle, and not what we needed. Time for changes, Jairo replaced Cristo in time to see a corner converted by Oier and with a lead secured Osasuna resorted to spoiling tactics, the ref fell for the lot, their goalie Nauzet took every chance to sniff the grass and look in pain.
Choco arrived in place of Raul Camara and looked very sprightly, he was challenging for all the high balls and gave his team mates a big boost. Jairo nearly unlocked the door with a nifty little faint before a shot. Nano was the last throw of the dice but as he came down from a high head clash for a loose ball with Unai Garcia he had to be helped off before collapsing. The sight of the medics loading him on a stretcher and racing down the touchline to the exit had us all fearful. Four minutes of injury time were signaled and the ball fell to Nino with just Dani to beat, but he could only muster a scuffed shot. I’d like to think he didn’t have the heart to finish us off, or maybe our less than perfect pitch caught him out. What a reprieve, only seconds left, Tenerife charged, Choco got a touch in front of goal and German hooked it over the line for an emotional end to a thrilling game. That’s the spirit, that’s the buzz we live for, and that’s why we always dare to hope.