2-0. Ibiza register a strong home win against Rayo Majadahonda
Can Misses remains a fortress. Ibiza loves playing in front of its fans and showed this once more today. Pablo Alfaro's players ran out deserved victors against Rayo Majadahonda after putting on a very complete performance from start to finish. Ibiza's head coach had remarked prior to the game that the encounter against the Madrid-based side would be one of the more attractive matches of the season.
Rayo Majadahonda, recently relegated from Second Division A, was a big test for Ibiza and the team knew the task it faced. The home side started off brightly with plenty of ball possession and always looked threatening from the very start. Ten minutes into the game, Ibiza already had two excellent chances. Two of the team's defenders, Morillas and Mariano, came close to opening the score for the Sky Blues. Shortly after, Rayo Majadahonda began to increase its activity level and the match quickly became very balanced. With five defenders at the back, the visitors made life difficult for Ibiza to find a breakthrough via the middle and the flanks.
The home side tried to take advantage of set pieces while the opponent seemed happy to sit back and wait for an opportunity to present itself. This happened in the 44th minute when Adrián Jiménez' powerful header hit the post to the right of Ibiza's keeper Germán. One minute later, it was Ibiza that was awarded an indirect free kick in the box of Rayo. Cirio tapped the ball ever so lightly for Javi Lara to launch a stinging shot that hit the bar and made the upright shake vigorously.
After the break, it was Rayo Majadahonda that tried to take over the command of a match which was entertaining but lacked goals. Ibiza soon lifted its game, however, and Pablo Alfaro's decision to bring on Raí gave his side a new dimension as Kike López dropped back to the right-back position.
In the 67th minute, Javi Lara, who had moved to the left wing, delivered an excellent cross into the box which led to the opening goal. Rayo's Adrián Jiménez failed to clear the cross properly and instead scored an own goal to put Ibiza into the lead. It was the beginning of Ibiza's tireless effort of seeking a second goal. Two minutes after going up 1-0, Mariano came close to doubling his side's advantage. Again it was Javi Lara who had provided an inch-perfect cross.
Carbia and Arranz came on for Núñez –who was on a yellow– and Cirio to provide Ibiza with a fresh set of legs in search of sealing the victory. That is precisely what Rodado then managed to do after a stellar piece of play. The striker dribbled his way into the opposition's box, using his physical presence to fend off several defenders before having only Basilio left to beat. Putting the ball into the back of the net with an expert finish, he left Rayo's keeper with no chance of avoiding Ibiza's second goal.
While Rodado scored his first goal of the season, it was Kike López who then came close to getting his second of the new campaign. After receiving a pass from Raí, he also was faced with the opposition's keeper in front of him but slightly lost his composure and saw his effort saved by the goalie. The game ended after six minutes of extra time to the elated sounds of fans in the stands. The team was celebrated by its supporters –and the Corsarios, in full voice– showed their appreciation to a group of footballers who had just kick-started their season by getting the first three points.
