This Sunday afternoon, Cantoria 2017 played in Cúllar Vega what was perhaps the most important match in its recent history; the pass to the quarter finals of the Copa Andalucía.
The team coached by Ricardo Mora with the technical assistance of Juanma Sánchez travelled to Granada with more than a hundred fans who travelled to the metropolitan area of the neighbouring province, with the hope of breaking the bank against a good team, who play good football and who were playing at home.
As soon as the game got underway, the Aurinegros had their noses in front. Darius from a direct free kick and from the top corner, beat Patri. It was a great goal and they had to wait for another chance to hit back against a team that felt the impact.
The home side still hadn’t quite assimilated the blow when Agustín scored the second from a throw-in. Ten minutes into the game and Cantoria had a result in their hands that not even the most optimistic of fans could have dreamed of. A rush of energy.
From then on, the red and red team had to start rowing against the tide against a team, Cantoria, who know very well what they play. So it was no surprise that the most outstanding players for the visitors, after the first 45 minutes, were goalkeeper Alberto and Abdou, the centre forward who kept the team stretched and threatening with his physical strength.
At 0-2 in the first half, the Almanzora side’s performance dropped off as the home side pushed forward and the minutes ticked by. The Granadinos needed a goal to bring them back into the game, and it was Enzo, the captain, who headed past Alberto from a corner in the 57th minute.
There was still plenty of game and plenty of suffering left for the visitors, who at this stage were playing to hold on for the result. Cúllar Vega were rewarded for their efforts in the 70th minute through Antonio. Suffering.
2-2 and the feelings were not the best for the Cantoria fans, who saw that the lead had disappeared and Heredia’s team were confident of winning the game before the final whistle of the referee Alfonso Mármol.
In the 89th minute, the local bench sent out the order “no more play”. The Granada side opted to decide their fate on penalties, something the visitors were not unhappy about.
And then came the outcome from the 12 penalty kicks. Three kicks were enough to decide which team would advance to the quarter-finals of the Copa Andalucía.
Enzo started to shoot, and Alberto, immense, guessed his intention and prevented the ball from entering the goal by diving to his left. It was Darius’ turn. The defender had already put the ball into the top corner and did not hesitate in front of goalkeeper Patri. Cantoria’s goal and again the advantage.
Alberto was getting bigger. He was talking to the local kickers and the goal was shrinking. Quique wanted to secure it so much that the crossbar returned the ball to him. Reche was in charge of shooting for the visitors. He took a run as if to break the goal net. When he got to the ball, he made the kind of leap that throws the goalkeeper off his stride and made it 0-2.
By this point, Alberto had the morale of the entire San Miguel municipal had been eaten away. He approached Enrique, the Red and Red team’s striker. He spoke to him. He stood in front of the ball and the striker looked at the ground. Nothing, football stuff. Enrique took a run and sent it over the crossbar.
Moha, one of this season’s additions, was in charge of shooting the third for the Aurinegros. An experienced player despite his youth. He looked at the goalkeeper and when he chose the post, he changed the place. 0-3 on penalties and to celebrate. Glory.
Everything that comes from now on for Cantoria 2017 is an added bonus. With this Sunday, they have already made history.
