When we needed them most Diego Ifran and Suso came through in style with the goals that banished lingering thoughts of relegation for CD Tenerife. Real Betis as the last home game had looked ominous for weeks but even allowing for them having already wrapped up the Segunda title this 2-0 victory was well deserved and so sweet after a sour season.
The club did the right thing and slashed ticket prices to fill the ground, there were plenty of retro shirts on show as 19,193 packed in and made the atmosphere truly special. So many factors were in the mix, Betis managed by former CDT boss Pepe Mel had Las Galletas defender Bruno in their side after a move from the Heliodoro last summer. Just before the game we learned that Maxi was out injured but Omar Perdomo started again and showed what a prospect he is.
Diego Ifran’s fitness level has been a constant worry but he looked well up for the challenge, his early low shot had the keeper scrambling to the far post to make a save. Betis looked to have dropped down a gear with their prize in the bag, they still showed flashes of class but found the home defence on top form, especially Javi Moyano who didn’t put a foot wrong. The ref threatened to wreck our day, he turned down a strong penalty shout when a head down in the box from Diego was deflected by the arm of Piccini.
Vitolo and Suso were an inspiration for their team mates with their passion and hunger for the game and their efforts always fire up the crowd. Moyano pushed up to support another attack and his strike from the edge of the box nearly caught the goalie out. At half time it was looking good, a draw would have sufficed for safety but a win was what we desperately wanted. Cristo Martin could have opened the scoring ten minutes after the break, that was his final action as Juan Carlos replaced him. The new arrival had one of his better games and added a new zest to the attacking options.
A Diego strike was ruled a offside but he kept pressing and slipped a neat pass to Suso to hit the goal that made the stadium erupt. All the frustrations of recent months melted away as thee crowd noise levels hit a peak, suddenly we were greedy for more goals. Suso was on fire, he unlocked Betis again and fed the ball into Diego, it flicked off his boot and his head before it was cleared. The clincher after 80 minutes was worth the wait, Vitolo raced down the right and with a little help from Suso picked out Diego who slotted the ball past the keeper to ensure no return to Sunday noon kick offs.
It’s been quite a while since the Heliodoro witnessed Mexican waves and all sections up and cheering but that’s how it was for the final ten minutes of celebration. Calls for President Concepcion to go were a reminder that the hole we got out of was due in no small part to poor decision management last summer – and January. It was a win to savour, although my head wasn’t so enthusiastic next day, big decisions will have to be made in the next few months if we are to build on the few positives that came through this season. Raul Agne has agreed a new one year contract so we have continuity and the indications are that the young rising stars like Cristo Gonzalez will be given their chance to stake acclaim for a first team shirt in the pre season friendlies.