Defeat in the first preseason friendly. UD Las Palmas fell 0-1 to the South African champions, Orlando Pirates, in the match played this Wednesday at Marbella Football Center. The score was decided in the final minutes, with a South African goal and two shots hitting the posts by the yellow players.

In Rubén De la Barrera's first preseason lineup, there was a strong presence of academy players, with up to 8 players who had come through the youth ranks. Las Palmas immediately tried to take control of the game through possession. The yellows combined frequently, although they found their first chance in the 9th minute with a quick move finished by Manu Fuster. The Valencian midfielder shot from the edge of the box, with the ball going just wide of goalkeeper Siyabonga Dladla's post.

In the 20th minute, Elías Romero came very close to scoring the 1-0. The South African goalkeeper cleared a ball in the area, but the academy striker got his boot to it, and the rebound went very close to the rival goal.

Orlando Pirates also had two chances after the first half-hour, with a shot into the side netting by Lungu and a save by Caro on another attempt by Dansin.

Just before the end of the first half, the best opportunity of this period occurred after a loss by UD that led to a counterattack and a shot by Msedami. José Antonio Caro managed to touch the ball on its trajectory before it hit the crossbar of the Gran Canaria team. However, the score remained unchanged at the break.

De la Barrera decided to make up to eight changes at the start of the second half compared to the starting eleven, with Valentín, Iñaki, and Arvelo remaining on the field. Las Palmas regained some freshness to try to steer the game back to its original course.

The match remained evenly balanced until the final moments, when several very clear chances were recorded. UD Las Palmas' opportunity came through Miyashiro, with a shot hitting the post in the 83rd minute. But attacker Radiopane took advantage of his chance three minutes later, surprising with a shot from outside the box to beat goalkeeper Suárez, who was positioned forward.

Las Palmas had a moment of brilliance that deserved to end in the Orlando Pirates' net. In the 89th minute, the yellows combined fluidly to finish the play with a cross from Bassinga and a shot off the crossbar by Valentín Pezzolesi, the tireless player who played the friendly from start to finish.

Lineups

Las Palmas: Caro, Valentín Pezzolesi, Alex Suárez, Juanma Herzog, Cristian Gutiérrez, Iñaki González, Kirian Rodríguez, Adam Arvelo, Manu Fuster, Rafa Cruz, and Elías Romero

Also played in the second half: Adrián Suárez (GK), Andrés Rodríguez, Enrique Clemente, Sergio Ruiz, Acimovic, Miyashiro, Villote, Aimar Domínguez, Bassinga, and Iván Medina

Orlando Pirates: Dladla, Chabatsane, Zulu, Rapoo, Lungu, Mthiyane, Dansin, Mmolai, Msendami, Padime, and Mbuthuma

Also played in the second half: De Jong, Xoki, Derbyshire, Mariko, Masilela, Radiopane, and Monyepoa (GK)

Goal: 0-1, min. 85. Radiopane

Referee: José Antonio Villalobos Sánchez (Andalusian Association). Yellow card for Mthiyane (Orlando)