Vine Land Running Club

With a score of 2-1 Almería defeated Athletic Bilbao in an encounter that gave them the opportunity of leaving the dangerous low zone and settle in the thirteenth position. The team managed by the Mexican Hugo Sanchez did not caused big impressions during the first minutes; although they did play firmly and in control of the ball, could not reached their best level.
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On the other hand, Athletic was not showing signs of alert that put in menace its rival, which took advantage of the situation to open the scoreboard at the minute 26 thanks to the excellent play in which Juan Manuel Ortiz headed a strike made by the Brazilian Santos Iriney. This provoked no reaction in the Basques, giving again the chance of scoring to the locals. This time the goal was hit by the Nigerian Kalu Uche, who during his four seasons with Almería has managed to stand out as a multifaceted, capable of coping in the field with great performances in the diverse positions he has been assigned to cover.
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The circumstances were different for the second half, since Athletic Bilbao changed its passive attitude for an aggressive one, testing its tallest footballers by using their characteristic strategy that consists on constant aerial plays, which tend to be dangerous. Even so the Andalusian were ready for the attack, exactly as Sanchez stated on the training previous the clash, when he indicated that himself and team would take the necessary actions to confront Athletic Club, an enemy hard to beat.
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At the 65 minute and after several failed score attempts, the Bilbao team reaches the goalpost defended by Diego Alves and marks their first goal and only of the match, for the emotion caused by it, made the Lions anxious for a tie or a higher score. Meanwhile Almería kept the order, being conscious that a mistake could make them lose their lead.
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That is how, with a scared and disorganized Bilbao that only could throw balls to the contrary area, Almería maintained its game rhythm, being able to stop them thanks to an effective labor from the supportive defense.
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This triumph let us see the flourishing moment the Red-Whites are going through and that pleases Coach Sanchez, who until now, with 2 victories and 2 draws has demonstrated the quality of his work and his players, who knew very well that had to fight a complicated opponent.
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The benefit of playing at home, gave Almeriaâ??s 11 enough confidence to present a great spectacle before a team that had the same winning intentions. The starts of the encounter were without a doubt Iriney and Uche, two outstanding players that for the season have earned the starting position and in whom â??Hugolâ?? has found a vital support to develop his game plans.