Realmadrid News

Ecija 1-1 Real Madrid: David draw against Goliath in the debut of the 2006/07 King's Cup

The Copa del Rey kicked off on Wednesday, and Real Madrid paid a visit to the Andalusian city of Ecija, where the local fans filled the stands to watch their David take on Spain's Goliath despite the torrential downpour. The field was in terrible shape and only worsened with the constant rain. Playing football was a challenge for both teams, and the game became more of a scrub match than an eye-catching, quality football. And that's exactly how the Second Division 'B' team intended to battle coach Fabio Capello's more experienced squad.

While Ecija pressured and hampered the Madridistas ability to move the ball forward, the visitors relied on counterattacking and magical football from the likes of Reyes, Cassano, and Ronaldo. The back line, comprised of four youth teamers -Torres, Pavón, Mejía and Raúl Bravo- had their work cut out for them as they were under a constant barrage of danger created by the better home side, led by Pepe Díaz and Raúl Pichardo. But behind the defence led by Pavón and Mejía, a sure-handed Diego López proved how good a goalkeeper he really is.



Real Madrid continued looking to settle the game that proved to be trickier than expected, but their brilliant touch and control over the last week was nowhere to be found. Reyes and Cassano gave glimpses of various feints and dribbling ability, and a captured public appreciated the spectacle. But Ecija continued to dominate the game. The Whites had their first scoring chance in the 15th minute off David Beckham's play from the wing. But the Madridistas' opportunities were few and far between, with the biggest threat coming off the boots of Ronaldo. The Brazilian had been quiet all night, but after several feints was able to get the ball to Cassano, who was unable to shoot on target.

The match was a free-for-all in the closing minutes of the first half. Capa, followed by Solano, could have opened up the scoreboard for the home side, while Diarra's header off a Beckham cross also missed the back of the net.

The game followed the same script throughout most of the second half. Ecija continued to scrap it out and Madrid waited for counters much like the one that culminated in a Beckham long ball to Cassano, but Ronaldo lost his balance just before coming face to face with goalkeeper Ariza.


The Whites got what they had waited for in the 66th minute. Beckham centered and Diarra's header found the post. But the football landed in front of Cassano and an open goal, and the Italian tapped it in for the 1-0 lead.

But Ecija had shown the true meaning of drive and desire all night long. Without backing down and proving exactly what this David versus Goliath competition is all about, the home team scored the well-deserved equaliser with only 10 minutes to play. Nolito's brilliant strike off a great play by Requena and Torres along the wing got passed Diego López on the near post, and San Pablo gave a standing ovation to their home side heroes.



MATCH SUMMARY

Ecija: Ariza; Torres, Arguello, Mario, Llano; Solano, Capa, Requena, Pichardo; Jorge García and Pepe Díaz.
Real Madrid: Diego López; Torres, Pavón, Mejía, Raúl Bravo; Diarra, Javi García, Beckham, Reyes; Cassano and Ronaldo.
Referee: Rodríguez Santiago. Yellow card to Solano (min.39).
Goals: 0-1 (min.66): Cassano taps in Diarra's header off the post
Notes: First leg of the King's Cup Round of 32 tie played in San Pablo before 9,000 spectators. Real Madrid President Ramón Calderón attended the match.


Match report by Cristina Monge
Photos by David R. Anchuelo
Special correspondents to Ecija, Seville
Translation by Matthew Goltz

posted by khalidmrrakchi@hotmail.com @ 7:50 PM