Las Palmas go through to the final of the Carranza Trophy after a penalty shoot-out

UD Las Palmas didn’t play their best pre-season match, but for the second successive year are through to the final of the 64th annual Trofeo Carranza, thanks to the goal poaching abilities of Rubén Castro and their efficiency in the penalty shoot-out (2-3). Manolo Jiménez’s side are still under construction and are gradually slotting their new signings in.

Cádiz CF looked better on the pitch and forced Las Palmas to raise their game, who for most of the first half played with their backs against the wall. Aketxe hit a cross shot in his side’s first attempt on Raúl Fernández’s goal, which the goalkeeper turned around for a corner. This signaled the start of a great night for the Levante-born player. UD Las Palmas responded with a forced header on goal by Rubén Castro following a good cross by Álvaro Lemos. The home fans in the Carranza stadium made lots of noise and were almost like an extra man for the home side. They are a raucous fanbase who enjoy it when their team are playing well. 

Las Palmas started out in their usual tough approach. They struggled to settle and to get forward. The team are still settling down as a unit and are still looking to gell together going forward. There were six new faces in their starting line-up. Momo, as a link up player, managed to unsettle their opponents with continual forays, but was unable to link up with team-mates in attack. In the first half, Cádiz were the better side in terms of play and chances. Raúl Fernández pulled off a series of fine saves and Cádiz couldn’t believe they had been held to a 0-0 scoreline as they went in for the break. 

Las Palmas pushed forward in the second half just when it looked like Cádiz were continuing to gain in confidence. In the 56th minute a great cross by Fidel was turned home by Rubén Castro. The former Betis striker got in between the two central defenders to head past David Gil (0-1). Cádiz increased the pace of the match while Las Palmas held on purposefullly to their advantage, until a shot from outside the box by Mario Barco in the last minute drew his side level and forced the penalty shoot-out. Las Palmas were more solid from the penalty spot and ran out 2-3 winners.

MATCH FACTS:

(1) CÁDIZ CF: David Gil, Rober Correa, José Mari, Álex Fernández, Marcos Mauro, Matos, Agra, Mario Barco, Aketxe, Kecojevic and Manu Vallejo. Manager: Álvaro Cervera. Substitutes: Cifuentes (substitute goalkeeper), Servando, Garrido, Salvi Sánchez, Dani Romera, Perea, Álvaro, Carmona, Juan Hernández, Karim and David Toro. 

 (1) UD LAS PALMAS: Raúl Fernández, Álvaro Lemos, David García, Juan Cala, Benito, Javi Castellano, Vicente Gómez, Fidel, Momo, Rafa Mir and Rubén Castro. Substitutes: Cristian Rivera, Nauzet Pérez (substitute goalkeeper), Deivid, Galarreta, Mantovani, Dani Castellano, Sacko, Edu Espiau, Fabio, Josep (ps), Erik Expósito, Josemi and Diego Parras. Manager: Manolo Jiménez. 

GOALS: 0-1, min. 56: Rubén Castro.1-1, min. 90: Mario Barco. Penalties (2-3): Rober Correa (hit post), Lemos (goal), Karim (goal), Cala (goal), Juan Hernández (goal), Galarretaa (goal), Perea (wide), Rafa Mir (saved by David Gil), Salvi Sánchez (wide).

REFEREE: Luis Mario Milla Albéniz. Aided by linesmen Antonio Martínez Moreno and Roberto Tejero García. Yellow cards: David García, Javi Castellano, Marioi Barco.

INCIDENTS: Semifinal of the 64th annual Trofeo Carranza, played at the Ramón de Carranza Stadium. Attendance: 10,000. The UD Las Palmas wore black armbands in memory of Gilberto I and Antoñito Jorge, who recently passed away.