Wednesday 26th September: Copa Federation Semi-Final (2nd Leg) Real Oviedo 1-2 Langreo Real Oviedo 4-4-2 First Half 0-1 GK Iván RB José Luis CB Lucas CB Meijide LB Santos RM Carrera CM Curro CM Jaime LM Centrón CF Stefan CF Matías Real Oviedo 3-4-1-2 Second Half 1-2 GK Iván RCB José Luis CB Meijide LCB Lucas RM Carrera CM (Santos HT) Falo HT CM Jaime LM Centrón AM Curro CF (Stefan) Armando HT CF Matías Goals: 0-1. Hugo, min. 19. 1-1. Jaime, min. 70. 1-2. Paul, min. 91. Team selection, José Luis comes in for Dani Garcia and Roberto Santos for Falo. The two young strikers, Matías and Stefan form the attack with Diego Cervero rested, again Iván plays in goal replacing Aulestia. First Half a very cagey affair with midfield swamped and few chances, Oviedo had a few half chances before Langreo hit them with a goal from their first shot in the match. From that point on with a crucial "away" goal Langreo retreated into an entirely defensive formation and the rest of the half bore little more action. Second Half Carrasco was forced to change things around bringing on the vastly experianced Falo and Armando losing a defender and pushing for the two goals needed to win the tie. In the 70th minute the goal came after intense Oviedo pressure, Carrera crossed for Jaime to score. From this point on Oviedo grew in confidence and stepped up a gear, but the goal wouldn't come with the opposition goalkeeper keeping everything out. Deep into injury time the succer punch came, ex-Oviedo player Paul broke away to score and end the tie. On the night Manchester United got knocked out of the league cup to supposidly inferior opposition i'll use the same excuses that they used, "we fielded a weakened side", "we can concentrate on the league" and "it's a mickey-mouse cup anyway who cares"! A cup Oviedo could very easily have won has gone, ok not the most prestigous but it's a cup all the same, like the Trophy Principado if we had won we'd have been well happy, defeat and we'll quikely forget it and move on to next match. Carrasco again in for a bit of stick from a few but his record speaks for itself so far, he's getting results, anything is better than last season. Anyhow good to see Jaime return from injury and play full 90 mins, but on neagtive side the match probably shows how dependent the side is on the presense of Diego Cervero.
Highlights: Real Oviedo 1-2 Langreo Copa Federacion http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQDo7hUq0b0 ---- The squad for Sundays match with Siero looks far healthier with Bruno now taking a full part in training. Only likely missing players central defender Carmona and long term injury victim Juan Luis. With Armando and Bruno available for selection it will be interesting to see what part Stefan and Matias play in the forward positions.
Results week 6: Real Oviedo 5 Siero 1 Ceares 2 Sdad. Dep.Colloto 0 Caudal 1 Llanes 1 Hispano 3 Astur 0 Univ. de Oviedo 3 Real Avilés Industrial 2 Ribadesella 0 Gijón B 0 C.D.Tuilla 1 Navarro 0 Candás C.F. 1 Condal 0 Real Tapia 3 Langreo 3 C.D.Cudillero 3 Lealtad de Villaviciosa 1 Table: Points Games Goals For/Against Home Win/Draw/Loss Away Win/Draw/Loss Goals..Home....Away... P.G.F.A.W.D.L.W.D.L1 Real Oviedo 15 5 14 4 2 0 0 3 0 0 2 Caudal 12 6 11 6 2 1 0 1 2 0 3 Univ. de Oviedo 12 5 10 5 3 0 0 1 0 1 4 Llanes 11 6 10 5 1 1 1 2 1 0 5 C.D.Cudillero 11 6 5 4 2 1 0 1 1 1 6 C.D.Tuilla 11 6 6 6 2 1 0 1 1 1 7 Astur 10 6 8 7 1 1 1 2 0 1 8 Navarro 10 6 6 5 3 0 0 0 1 2 9 Ceares 10 6 6 6 1 1 1 2 0 1 10 Lealtad 8 6 6 5 2 1 0 0 1 2 11 Hispano 8 6 8 8 2 0 1 0 2 1 12 Gijón B 7 6 9 7 2 0 1 0 1 2 13 Siero 6 6 8 11 0 2 1 1 1 1 14 Candás C.F. 6 6 5 13 1 0 2 1 0 2 15 Langreo 5 6 11 10 0 1 2 1 1 1 16 Ribadesella 5 6 5 5 1 1 1 0 1 2 17 Real Avilés 5 6 6 9 1 1 1 0 1 2 18 Real Tapia 5 6 6 12 1 2 0 0 0 3 19 Condal 2 6 3 7 0 1 2 0 1 2 20 S.D.Colloto 2 6 3 11 0 1 2 0 1 2
Match 5: Sunday 30th September Real Oviedo 5-1 Siero Real Oviedo 4-3-2-1 GK Aulestia RB Dani García, (Centrón 59m), CB L.Iglesias, CB Meijide, LB Lasarte, CM Jon Carrera, CM Falo, CM Curro, (José Luis 75m), RM Sergio Villanueva (Bruno 76m), LM Jaime CF Diego Cervero. Goals: 1-0. Cervero 45m. 2-0. Centrón 61m. 3-0. Cervero 67m. 4-0. Jon Carrera min. 80m. 4-1. Otero, 85m. 5-1. Bruno 92m. Highlights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T03fZOlUn9Y Came up against opponents who defended in numbers, and the visitors game plan worked until just before half-time when that man Diego Cervero scored. Second half much more open and Oviedo killed off Siero emphatically. Bruno made his first league appearance and got his first goal too, Jaime played on left in what was an almost fully fit squad. Ivan the sub goalie picked up a minor injury in training on Friday so Damián from the B team (Oviedo Vetusta) was on bench. Centre-back Carmona close to full fitness so other than Juan Luis the squad come next weekend should be complete. Diego Cervero clear top goalscorer (pichchi) in division with 6 goals. The game in hand at home against Universidad looks like a key game, they look like they could be Oviedos biggest rivals.
Despute between Oviedo and Asturias Football Federation on when to play postponed match against Universidad. (Match 2 postponed due to Spain v Latvia match). Date of 1st November has now been decided upon. I was hoping negotiation swould rumble on and i'd get a nice extra match over christmas, i'm over in Oviedo for 3 weeks but not to be. My only home game looks likely to be v Real Tapia who so far look like cannon foder, lost all 3 of their away games so far, so hopefully i'll see some goals. -- Oviedos' next match is away to Lealtad de Villaviciosa 7th October 5pm Lealtad currently lie in 10th place with 8 points, home form 2 wins and a draw. Central defender Carmona back in training so it looks like Carrasco will have a full squad to pick his team from this Sunday.
Results week 7: Lealtad 1 - Real Oviedo 0 Ceares 4 - Candás 1 Navarro 2 - Real Tapia 2 Colloto 1 - Sporting B 4 Condal 2 - Caudal 0 Llanes 4 - Hispano 1 Astur 0 - Tuilla 0 Langreo 0 - Cudillero 1 Siero 0 - Universidad Oviedo 1 Avilés Ind. 1 - Ribadesella 1 Table: Points Games Goals For/Against Home Win/Draw/Loss Away Win/Draw/Loss Goals..Home....Away... P.G.F.A.W.D.L.W.D.L1 Real Oviedo 15 6 14 5 2 0 0 3 0 1 2 Univ. de Oviedo 15 6 11 5 3 0 0 2 0 1 3 Llanes 14 7 14 6 2 1 1 2 1 0 4 C.D.Cudillero 14 7 6 4 2 1 0 2 1 1 5 Ceares 13 7 10 7 2 1 1 2 0 1 6 Caudal 12 7 11 8 2 1 0 1 2 1 7 C.D.Tuilla 12 7 6 6 2 1 0 1 2 1 8 Lealtad 11 7 7 5 3 1 0 0 1 2 9 Astur 11 7 8 7 1 2 1 2 0 1 10 Navarro 11 7 8 7 3 1 0 0 1 2 11 Gijón B 10 7 13 8 2 0 1 1 1 2 12 Hispano 8 7 9 12 2 0 1 0 2 2 13 Ribadesella 6 7 6 6 1 1 1 0 2 2 14 Real Avilés 6 7 7 10 1 2 1 0 1 2 15 Siero 6 7 8 12 0 2 2 1 1 1 16 Real Tapia 6 7 8 14 1 2 0 0 1 3 17 Candás C.F. 6 7 6 17 1 0 2 1 0 3 18 Langreo 5 7 11 11 0 1 3 1 1 1 19 Condal 5 7 5 7 1 1 2 0 1 2 20 S. D.Colloto 2 7 4 15 0 1 3 0 1 2
Match 6: Sunday 7th October Lealtad de Villaviciosa 1-0 Real Oviedo Real Oviedo 4-3-2-1 GK Aulestia RB L.Iglesias CB Carmona CB Meijide LB Lasarte (José Luis, min. 81) CM Matías (Centrón, min. 61) CM Falo CM Curro RF Sergio Villanueva LF Jaime(Bruno, min. 61) CF Diego Cervero. Goals: 1-0. Rubén, min. 37. Highlights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rf7wMy2eSIs Line-Up: Carmona returns from injury and slots into centre of defence, with Lucas Iglesias switching to left back. Jon Carrera picked up an injury in training on Friday so Matias drafted into midfield. First League defeat of the season Poor poor match with Lealtad manager ex-Oviedo player Ricardo Bango winning the tactical battle with Carrasco. Oviedo had few attacking ideas with Meijide the most likely scorer from set pieces. Armando still cannot get a go even from bench, after being top goalscorer in this division 3 seasons running. Oviedo still top table but now level on points with Univerisidad. ----- Formula 1: Fernando Alonso came second behind Raikonen in penultimate GP with Hamilton crashing out: Standings: 1st Lewis Hamilton 107 pts 2nd Fernando Alonso 103pts 3rd Kimi Raikonen 100pts Last Grand Prix in Brazil in 2 weeks time, should be a fantastic weekends action. ----- Next match: Home v Langreu Langreu: 18th Place on 5 points by virtue of only getting 1 point in their first 4 home games. away form - 1 win 1 draw 1 defeat
Here are the seasons stats so far: Appearances 1... 2... 3... 4... 5... 6... TP... Starts (Sub) goals Aulestia GK GK GK GK GK GK … xx … 6 ( 0 ) 0 L.Iglesias RB RB RB CB CB RB … CB … 6 ( 0 ) 0 Carmona CB CB CB xx xx CB … xx … 4 ( 0 ) 0 Meijide CB CB CB CB CB CB … SB … 6 ( 0 ) 2 Lasarte LB LB LB LB LB LB … CB … 6 ( 0 ) 0 Villanueva RM xx RM RM RM RM … RM … 5 ( 0 ) 0 Juan Luis CM xx xx xx xx xx … xx … 1 ( 0 ) 0 Curro CM CM CM CM CM CM … CM … 6 ( 0 ) 0 Jaime LM SB xx xx LM LM … xx … 3 ( 1 ) 0 Matías CF LM SB LM xx CM … CF … 4 ( 1 ) 0 Diego Cervero CF CF CF CF CF CF … SB … 6 ( 0 ) 6 Stefan SB RM LM SB xx xx … LM … 2 ( 2 ) 1 Falo SB CM CM CM CM CM … CM … 5 ( 1 ) 0 Armando SB xx xx xx xx xx … SB … 0 ( 1 ) 0 Jon Carrera xx CM CM CM CM xx … CM … 4 ( 0 ) 0 Jose Luis xx SB xx xx SB SB … SB … 0 ( 3 ) 0 Bruno xx SB xx xx SB SB … xx … 0 ( 3 ) 0 Dani Garcia xx xx SB RB RB xx … RB … 2 ( 1 ) 0 Centon xx xx SB SB SB SB … CM … 0 ( 4 ) 2 Santos xx xx xx SB xx xx … SB … 0 ( 1 ) 0 Ivan xx xx xx xx xx xx … GK … 0 ( 0 ) 0 Pablo Preito xx xx xx xx xx xx … SB … 0 ( 0 ) 0 Adrian xx xx xx xx xx xx … SB … 0 ( 0 ) 0 SB = Substitute, hopefully other abreviations of positions understandable, eg RB = Right Back, CM = Central Midfielder etc etc Results: Match 1: Colloto 0-2 Real Oviedo Match 2: Ribadesella 0 – 1 Real Oviedo Match 3: Real Oviedo 3 - 2 Sporting "B" Trofeo Principado Real Oviedo 2-1 Sporting Gijon match 4: Aviles 1-2 Real Oviedo Match 5: Real Oviedo 5-1 Siero Match 6: Villaviciosa 1-0 Real Oviedo Table: 1st Real Oviedo 15 pts / 6 games 2nd Univ. de Oviedo 15 / 6 3rd Llanes 14 / 7 4th C.D.Cudillero 14 / 7 5th Ceares 13 / 7 6th Caudal 12 / 7 7th C.D.Tuilla 12 / 7 I'll aim to break the season stats down into 6 parts, first 6 league games, next 6, mid point (19 games) and so on and so on.... then ending with the season with the victorious play-off campaign (part 7) hopefully.
Week 8 Results: Real Oviedo 3 U.P.Langreo 3 Caudal 4 Ceares 1 Hispano 1 Condal 1 Gijón B 1 Real Avilés 2 Univ. de Oviedo 0 Lealtad 0 Ribadesella 0 Siero 3 C.D.Tuilla 1 Llanes 0 Candás C.F. 0 S.D.Colloto 0 Real Tapia 3 Astur 1 C.D.Cudillero 1 Navarro 1 Table: 1 Real Oviedo 16 7 17 8 2 1 0 3 0 1 2 Univ. de Oviedo 16 7 11 5 3 1 0 2 0 1 3 Caudal 15 8 15 9 3 1 0 1 2 1 4 C.D.Cudillero 15 8 7 5 2 2 0 2 1 1 5 C.D.Tuilla 15 8 7 6 3 1 0 1 2 1 6 Llanes 14 8 14 7 2 1 1 2 1 1 7 Ceares 13 8 11 11 2 1 1 2 0 2 8 Lealtad 12 8 7 5 3 1 0 0 2 2 9 Navarro 12 8 9 8 3 1 0 0 2 2 10 Astur 11 8 9 10 1 2 1 2 0 2 11 Gijón B 10 8 14 10 2 0 2 1 1 2 12 Siero 9 8 11 12 0 2 2 2 1 1 13 Real Avilés 9 8 9 11 1 2 1 1 1 2 14 Hispano 9 8 10 13 2 1 1 0 2 2 15 Real Tapia 9 8 11 15 2 2 0 0 1 3 16 Candás C.F. 7 8 6 17 1 1 2 1 0 3 17 U.P.Langreo 6 8 14 14 0 1 3 1 2 1 18 Condal 6 8 6 8 1 1 2 0 2 2 19 Ribadesella 6 8 6 9 1 1 2 0 2 2 20 S.D.Colloto 3 8 4 15 0 1 3 0 2 2 A draw against a team they have played 3 times this season and not beaten (knocked out by Lealtad in Federation Cup 0-0(away)1-2(home).) Team info and match highlights to follow. Universidad drew too so Oviedo still top, that rescheduled match (postoponed week 2) between the top two looks set to be an important encounter.
Match 7: Sunday 14th October Real Oviedo 3-3 U.P. Langreo Real Oviedo 4-4-2 GK Aulestia RB Lucas Iglesias, CB Carmona, CB Meijide, LB Lasarte, RM Jaime (Falo 66m), CM Jon Carrera (Bruno 77m), CM Curro, LM Centrón (Villanueva 93m), CF Stefan, CF Diego Cervero. Goals: 0-1. Israel, min. 16. 0-2. Juan Valdés, min. 22. 1-2. Cervero, min. 24. 2-2. Centrón, min. 57. 3-2. Centrón, min. 65. 3-3. Israel, de penalti, min. 91. Highlights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUBunkGlaK0 With fully fit squad no place for Armando Quesada (top scorer in this division 3 years running) or Matias in the matchday squad let alone the team. Switching to 4-4-2 Carasco dropped Falo to bench in favour of a second striker in Stefan. Centron with an impressive goalscoring touch looks like he may be cementing a place in the side. The day started badly with an organised demonstration against the board of directors over the sacking of popular coach Javi Amieva. Things went from bad to worse with the side conceding 2 early goals. The team then showed some passion and grit answering one placard “Donde cojones estabais el 2003?” where are the balls we had in 2003? (referring to the Oviedo side that won the Tercera that year) Luckily Oviedo replied quikely with Cervero making it 1-2 and from then on in was all Oviedo offensively. Two good goals from Centron and Oviedo were coasting at 3-2. All the good work was destroyed by a terrible penalty decision in injury time, a long ball hoofed into the area and Lasarte was ajudged to have fouled the opposition striker. To add to the poor penalty decision the referee produced 12 yellow cards in a match that was hardly a dirty affair. Oviedo recieved 8 yellows (Curro, Jaime, Lucas, Cervero, Stefan, Meijide, Lasarte and Falo) if you didn't get one you probably felt a little left out.
Match 8: Sunday 21st October Navarro 0-1 Real Oviedo Real Oviedo 4-3-2-1 GK Aulestia RB Lucas, CB Carmona, CB Meijide, LB Lasarte, CM Falo, CM Curro, CM José Luís, LM Centrón, RM Jaime(Stefan, min.83), CF Diego Cervero. Goals: 0-1 Curro 49m Results week 9: Navarro 0-1 Oviedo Llanes 0-0 Real Tapia Astur 3-4 Cudillero Langreo 3-1 Univ. Oviedo Lealtad 1-0 Ribadesella Siero 1-3 Sporting B Colloto . 0-1 Avilés Candas 3-0 Caudal Union Ceares 2-1 Hispano Condal 1-0 Tuilla Table: Points Games Goals For/Against Home Win/Draw/Loss Away Win/Draw/Loss Goals..Home....Away... P.G.F.A.W.D.L.W.D.L1 Real Oviedo 19 8 18 8 2 1 0 4 0 1 2 C.D.Cudillero 18 9 11 8 2 2 0 3 1 1 3 Univ. de Oviedo 16 8 12 8 3 1 0 2 0 2 4 Ceares 16 9 13 12 3 1 1 2 0 2 5 Llanes 15 9 14 7 2 2 1 2 1 1 6 Caudal 15 9 15 12 3 1 0 1 2 2 7 Lealtad 15 9 8 5 4 1 0 0 2 2 8 C.D.Tuilla 15 9 7 7 3 1 0 1 2 2 9 Gijón B 13 9 17 11 2 0 2 2 1 2 10 Navarro 12 9 9 9 3 1 1 0 2 2 11 Real Avilés 12 9 10 11 1 2 1 2 1 2 12 Astur 11 9 12 14 1 2 2 2 0 2 13 Real Tapia 10 9 11 15 2 2 0 0 2 3 14 Candás C.F. 10 9 9 17 2 1 2 1 0 3 15 U.P.Langreo 9 9 17 15 1 1 3 1 2 1 16 Condal 9 9 7 8 2 1 2 0 2 2 17 Siero 9 9 12 15 0 2 3 2 1 1 18 Hispano 9 9 11 15 2 1 1 0 2 3 19 Ribadesella 6 9 6 10 1 1 2 0 2 3 20 S.D.Colloto 3 9 4 16 0 1 4 0 2 2 Oviedo consolidate place at top of the table after a few dodgy results with some of their rivals such as Universidad and Caudal losing Comiserations to Oviedos' double world Champion Fernando Alonso who finished 3rd in the Brazilian Grand Prix and 3rd in the final seasons standings (109 pts). Kimi Raikonen won the final race and became World Champion (110pts) with golden boy Lewis Hamilton (109pts)finishing a disasterous 7th place losing the lead he'd held for almost all championship on the last day. Closest ever finish to a season with top 3 drivers seperated by a single point.
Match 8: Sunday 21st October Navarro 0-1 Real Oviedo highlights:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SL0Ijq0_Wgk Real Oviedo: Aulestia, Lucas, Lasarte, Carmona, Meijide, Falo, Curro, José Luis, Jaime (Stefan, min. 82), Centrón, Cervero. Suprise team selection with Jose Luis picked alongside Falo in the centre of midfield as the defensive "double pivots" with Jaime and Centron on right and left of midfield and Curro the central attacking midfielder. The defence picks itself and again Cervero leads the attack upfront on his own. Jon Carrera and Pablo Prieto injured, Armando Quesada recalled to match squad (without playing) while Bruno and Matias were surplus to requirements this week. The match was an ugly bruising encounter with Asturian minds elsewhere. less than 600 turned out as the game clashed with the Grand Prix and even those attending had an eye on the match with people squeezing into the Navarro club bar to watch the race. Navarro offered little attacking threat other than speculative long balls, one such ball midway through the first half was spilled by the advancing gaolkeeper Aulestia well outside his area and comfort zone, Oviedo were lucky to escape. Start of the second half and Oviedo scored from a long ball of their own, Aulestia launched the ball upfield Cervero flicked the ball on and Curro calmly slotted home from an angle. The match from then on like Alonsos title chances fizzled out and the spectators were reportedly glad of the final whistle as they were able to give the Formula 1 their full attention. The result ultimately was all that mattered and in that job done, but for Oviedo they haven't impressed for a good few matches. Other positives, a clean sheet, goals coming from other scources not just Cervero. A big local derby and grudge match next week against Oviedo Astur the team that tried to usurp Real and steal their position as the citys' premier club. Hopefully a good home performance and an easy 3 points next week. Next match: Sunday 28th (home) v Oviedo Astur 11pts from 9 games so far, currently lying in 12th position. Away form 2 wins and 2 defeats.
Here is a snippet from an article going back to 2003-04 season when we played Oviedo AFC (Astur) for first time: "A far greater hate figure was Mayor De Lorenzo. Oviedo's relegation to the Third Division, he decreed, signalled “the end of 77 years of history. Oviedo are in the [essentially amateur] Third Division. The level of capital is not the same and the players don't belong to the club any more. There is a debt of 7,000 million pesetas [£28m]. To artificially keep the club alive would be to con the Oviedo fans yet again. This is a bankruptcy the size of a cathedral and the only thing that's left is to sign the death certificate.” The man who was set to sign it was the mayor himself. If his words infuriated, his actions had fans in rabid fits, but he inadvertently ended up infusing supporters with the crusading spirit they needed to keep their club alive. His may have been a logical, even realistic appraisal but the fans rebelled – football is not just any old business. Some even saw De Lorenzo's stance as a grasp for the one area of public life in the Asturias region that evaded him: football. If so, he miscalculated spectacularly. “We need to start from scratch,” De Lorenzo announced, and he was as good as his word, removing the city council's support for the club and instead throwing its weight behind its other team, Astur Club de Futbol, providing them with £60,000-a-year backing. That was just the start. Astur changed their name to Oviedo Astur (Oviedo AFC, in other words), changed their colours from red shirts with blue shorts to Oviedo's traditional blue shirts and socks with white shorts, altered their badge to look suspiciously similar to Oviedo's and even signed a couple of former Oviedo players. Astur quickly became known to Oviedo fans – Real (and real) Oviedo fans – as el engendro: roughly, the freak foetus or ugly brainchild, a kind of Frankenstein's monster. Real Oviedo fans took to the streets in mass demonstrations. They boycotted council-run fiestas. T-shirts declaring “I didn't abandon Oviedo in the Third Division” sold in their thousands. Oviedo bring-and-buy sales sprung up at the stadium, fans selling old shirts, scarves and memorabilia, with all the proceeds going to the club. A real civic reaction had been sparked, which many local businesses backed – the sports shop that now sells Oviedo shirts on behalf of the club does so without taking a cut. And, above all, season-ticket sales rocketed, over 10,000 within a couple of months, soon rising to over 12,000 – more than many First Division clubs and unheard of down in the Third Division. As Lafuente, who has recovered much of the credibility lost during his handling of the double-relegation, puts it: “Without the fans, Oviedo would be dead. They knew it was in danger and they put themselves at the front of everything and in front of everything to save it.” No wonder Oviedo have repeated the now famous gesture of the 2001 UEFA Cup finalists, Alaves – the club's new shirt comes embroidered with the names of their members. There are a lot of them, too; no solitary “Juan” across the chest. Which is more than can be said for the freak foetus. While Oviedo boast well over 12,000 members, Astur could barely attract 1,500. And, having started more or less from scratch, building a squad in little over a week and with a full-time staff of just 10 (coaches included), Oviedo won the Third Division in their first season, finishing ahead of Astur despite the six-point penalty. The play-off defeat was a setback, although off the field the club were working towards solvency, with some success: a sponsorship deal was struck with the Principality of Asturias, of which Oviedo is the capital. De Lorenzo realised his mistake – politically, at least – and backtracked. Finally appreciating that he could not beat Oviedo, he changed his posture entirely in the autumn of 2004. To the opposition in the city council it appeared little more than an attempt to clean up his image in front of Oviedo fans. Perhaps, but his shift was vital for the club. Survival was at last secured. Having negotiated the suspension of debts totalling £24m with creditors, Lafuente succeeded in persuading De Lorenzo to once again recognise Real Oviedo as the city's representative club. The £60,000 funding was removed from Astur, and De Lorenzo agreed to foot the bill for the Carlos Tartiere, as well as purchasing £40,000-worth of tickets for each game, which would then be handed out to schoolchildren and agreeing to support a share issue to raise funds. Hopping on to the bandwagon, he even made himself a member of the club. “I neither forgive nor forget,” said Lafuente, “but if needs be, I'll pact with the devil if it's good for Real Oviedo.” From: http://www.worldsoccer.com/features/rebirth_of_oviedo_features_67151.html Strange that initial season in Tercera (2003-04) when Oviedo started with -6 points the two teams were neck and neck for most of it, it was widely assumed whoever would finish top would end up with the New Carlos Tartiere as their stadium and for the other team (certainly in Reals case) oblivion. Oviedo AFC who changed their identity completely as stated in article certainly became justly hated as they were blatantly trying to steal everything from Real, their funding, their sponsors, their position, their ground, their supporters, their history, their identity everything. With Real Oviedo winning the Tercera that season the hatred died almost overnight for most fans, we had won. There was certainly a bitter dislike but after winning, it seemed Astur should be pitied they had been used as a pawn in a political power game. Oviedo AFC could disappear back into the hole they had come from destined to potter around the Tercera for the rest of time. That next season Real Oviedo were champions again but this time winning the play-offs and promotion, Astur/Oviedo AFC were nowhere. Oviedo were off back up to the Primera Liga "VOLVEREMOS" promoted to Segunda B destined never to play little Astur ever again. (oh no!) Jump to Sunday, Astur who look hopeless come to the Carlos Tartiere and a win for Real Oviedo could plummet them into the relegation frame. It is still a grudge match and hopefully a big performance and crushing victory will kill their season.
Match 9: Sunday 28th October Real Oviedo 7-0 Ovedo Astur Real Oviedo 4-2-3-1 GK Aulestia RB Lucas, CB Carmona, CB Meijide, LB Lasarte, DM Falo, DM José Luís, LM Centrón, CM Curro, RM Jaime CF Diego Cervero. no changes to last weeks line-up, Jon Carrera on bench returnng from injury. Substitutes: Armando Quesada (Jaime) 59m Bruno (Centron) 60m Stefan (Sergio Villanueva) 60m (all out attack for last 30 minutes! 4 strikers on pitch) Goals 6m Cervero 15m Centron 22m Cervero 33m Curro 36m Curro Half-Time: 5-0 83m Curro 90m Armando Can't get a much more emphatic result. Astur put firmly in their place. The Champions of Asturias still top of the league.
Real Oviedo 7-0 Oviedo Astur highlights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWJZUNSBSC4 Curro hat-trick (first Oviedo hat-trick of season) Armando Quesada gets first goal of season (just 2 sub appearances so far) another 2 goals for Diego Cervero (9 goals in 9 games) another goal for Centron (5 goals in last 5 matches) Is there anything negative you can take out of match? (I hate the new shirts!)
A few corrections, not on the score though sadly for Astur. Oviedin site went a bit bizarre, supposidly at one point Juan Luis (out for season with injury) was in starting XI. Lobo Carrasco started game with a 3-4-3 formation Carmona not needed against a side there for taking. Astur with financial problems lost most of their side in the summer so fielded a very youthfull team with little experiance. Real Oviedo 7-0 Oviedo Astur Real Oviedo 3-4-3 GK Aulestia RB Lucas, CB Meijide, LB Lasarte, RM Jaime, CM Falo, CM Curro, LM José Luís, LF Centrón, CF Diego Cervero, RF Sergio Villanueva. Substitutes: Armando Quesada (Jaime) 53m Bruno (Centron) 60m Stefan (Sergio Villanueva) 60m Goals: 6m Cervero 15m Centron 22m Cervero 33m Curro 36m Curro Half-Time: 5-0 83m Curro 90m Armando What can you say about the match, 5-0 at half time was about right though Oviedo did miss a good few chances. Start of second half Astur had their first and then second (and last) shots on target in minute 47 and min 52. This shocked Carrasco into bringing on his 3 strikers off the bench. It was men versus boys and could have been 10-0 by the time the sixth went in with Curro getting his hat-trick. Both Bruno and Armando Quesada got some league action but should have done better with the goal at their mercy. 7-0 a comprehensive thrashing, Astur look like they are in freefall and look likely to go down, they have now dropped into the relegation zone after this result and confidence cannot be high (understatement?). Oviedo on the other hand look solid and should have little trouble being Champions come May next year. With England out of Euro 2008 it will be no problem watching the play-offs in June now, no clash of fixtures. It was 4 years ago Spain got knocked out by Portugal in the european Championships before Oviedo lost their Play-off final, Oviedos' season outlasting Spains' progression in the tournament. Oviedo lost on away goals after finishing the season clear Champions - a travisty! hopefully lightning doesn't strike twice (not worth thinking about!!!).
Results: Oviedo 7-0 Astur Caudal 5-0 Colloto Hispano 1-1 Candas Tuilla 1-0 Union Ceares Real Tapia 3-3 Condal Cudillero 1-0 Llanes Univ. Oviedo 2-0 Navarro Ribadesella 0-2 Langreo Sporting B 2-4 Lealtad Avilés Ind. 2-0 Siero Big scores Caudal getting 5, Lealtad 4 Tapia- Condal sharing 6............... not to mention the champions of Asturias scoring 7!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! League table much the same, when we win everyone else up top seems to win, sad to see Gijon B losing more ground though. The teams from 2nd to 6th Cudillero, Universidad, Tuilla, Caudal and Lealtad all winning. Table: M.W.D.L.Goals.Pts 1 Real Oviedo 9 7 1 1 25 8 22 2 Cudillero 10 6 3 1 12 8 21 3 Tuilla 10 6 2 2 11 7 20 4 Univ. Oviedo 9 6 1 2 14 9 19 ----------Play-Offs 5 Caudal 10 5 3 2 20 12 18 6 Lealtad 10 5 3 2 12 7 18 7 Union Ceares 10 5 1 4 13 13 16 8 Llanes 10 4 3 3 14 8 15 9 Avilés Ind. 10 4 3 3 12 11 15 10 Sporting B 10 4 1 5 19 15 13 11 Langreo 10 3 3 4 19 15 12 12 Navarro 10 3 3 4 9 11 12 13 Real Tapia 10 2 5 3 14 18 11 14 Candas 10 3 2 5 10 18 11 15 Condal 10 2 4 4 10 11 10 16 Hispano 10 2 4 4 12 16 10 ----------Relegation 17 Astur 10 3 1 6 12 24 10 18 Siero 10 2 3 5 12 17 9 19 Ribadesella 10 1 3 6 7 12 6 20 Colloto 10 0 3 7 4 21 3
Next Match: (the rearranged match postponed from week 2) Wednesday 1st November (home) v Universidad de Oviedo Universidad are currently lying in 4th place on 19 points. Away form so far 2 wins and 2 draws. Langreo 1-3 Lost Siero 1-0 Won Sporting “B” 0-2 Lost Colloto 2-1 Won Universidad History: Tercera stalwarts since 1960s, half a dozen seasons in Segunda B then; 2005/2006 Champions of Tercera División (first time) and were Promoted through the Play-Offs (third time in history). 2006/2007 finished 18th (a place higher than Real Oviedo) in Segunda División B and like Oviedo were relegated back down to Tercera. Last seasons match at the Carlos Tartiere was a 2-4 away win for Universidad. Real Oviedo signed midfielder Jaimie from Universidad in summer, he was a regular first teamer for them (33 apps/4 goals) and has been a first team regular for Real this year too. Good to get the game in hand played and hopeully put a bit of breathing space between us and the chasing pack. Universidad are probably our strongest rivals so possibly our hardest match to date. Real Oviedos' forthcoming fixtures look very good: (a) Llanes (8th place) (h) Condal (15th) (a) Caeres (7th) (h) Candas (14th) We should win all 4 matches with a bit of luck so Wednesday nights match is not in any terms a must win match, but in relation to our rivals it would dent their confidence and widen the points gap. I wouldn't be too disappointed with a draw. ---- Incidently the 7-0 win at the weekend was the highest scoring match at the Nuevo Carlos Tartiere and the biggest win Oviedo have had for 22 years (won in Cup 8-0 in the mid 80s). ---- I stumbled on this site,( http://www.futbolme.com/index.asp ) if you want to find stats on all levels of Spanish football a good place to look.
Match 10: Wednesday 1st November Real Oviedo 1-0 Ovedo Astur Real Oviedo 4-2-3-1 GK Aulestia RB Lucas (Stefan, min. 55), CB Carmona, CB Meijide, LB Lasarte, DM Falo (Jon Carrera, min. 65), DM José Luís, LM Centrón, CM Curro, RM Villanueva (Bruno, min. 76), CF Diego Cervero. Goals: 70m Carmona No place for Armando Quesada, Matias, Dani Garcia or Pablo Prieto in 16 man matchday squad. Back to formation that beat Navarro the previous weekend with Villanueva coming in on right for Jaime and Carmona returning to team at centre of defence. Highlights: (check start with Armando Quesada shaking hands trying to look happy he’s out in the cold.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EtgtFRUBiE A workman like performance in freezing conditions. It was bound to be a boring run of the mill match after Sundays goal fest. Ironically the player dropped to maximise the teams goalscoring potential ended up being the only goalscorer, Fernando Caromona. The major goalscoring threat In Oviedo side was from corners using the height of our central defencive giants Meijide and Carmona. Even though Oviedo completed their third successive clean sheet the defence again looked shaky, with wastefull finishing from Universidad and Aulestia forced into making some good saves, one goal was luckily enough. So 4 points clear at top - a very good start to the season. Position xxxxxx Matches (Home) Won Draw Lost (Away) Won Draw Lost (Goals) For / Against Points 1 xxxx REAL OVIEDO xxxxx 10 xxxxx 4 xxxxx 1 xxxxx 0 xxxxx 4 xxxxx 0 xxxxx 1 xxxxx 26 xxxxxx 8 xxxxx 25 2 xxxxx C.D.Cudillero xxxxx 10 xxxxx 3 xxxxx 2 xxxxx 0 xxxxx 3 xxxxx 1 xxxxx 1 xxxxx 12 xxxxxx 8 xxxxx 21 3 xxxxxxxx C.D.Tuilla xxxxx 10 xxxxx 4 xxxxx 1 xxxxx 0 xxxxx 2 xxxxx 1 xxxxx 2 xxxxx 11 xxxxxx 7 xxxxx 20 4 xxxxxx Universidad xxxxx 10 xxxxx 4 xxxxx 1 xxxxx 0 xxxxx 2 xxxxx 0 xxxxx 3 xxxxx 14 xxxxxx 9 xxxxx 19 5 xxxxxxxxxx Caudal xxxxx 10 xxxxx 4 xxxxx 1 xxxxx 0 xxxxx 1 xxxxx 2 xxxxx 2 xxxxx 20 xxxxx 12 xxxxx 18 6 xxxxxxxxxx Lealtad xxxxx 10 xxxxx 4 xxxxx 1 xxxxx 0 xxxxx 1 xxxxx 2 xxxxx 2 xxxxx 12 xxxxxx 7 xxxxx 18 7 xxxxxxxxxx Ceares xxxxx 10 xxxxx 3 xxxxx 1 xxxxx 1 xxxxx 2 xxxxx 0 xxxxx 3 xxxxx 13 xxxxx 13 xxxxx 16 8 xxxxxxxxxxx Llanes xxxxx 10 xxxxx 2 xxxxx 2 xxxxx 1 xxxxx 2 xxxxx 1 xxxxx 2 xxxxx 14 xxxxxx 8 xxxxx 15 9 xxxxxxx Real Avilés xxxxx 10 xxxxx 2 xxxxx 2 xxxxx 1 xxxxx 2 xxxxx 1 xxxxx 2 xxxxx 12 xxxxx 11 xxxxx 15 10 xxxxxxxxxx Gijón B xxxxx 10 xxxxx 2 xxxxx 0 xxxxx 3 xxxxx 2 xxxxx 1 xxxxx 2 xxxxx 19 xxxxx 15 xxxxx 13 11 xxxxx U.P.Langreo xxxxx 10 xxxxx 1 xxxxx 1 xxxxx 3 xxxxx 2 xxxxx 2 xxxxx 1 xxxxx 19 xxxxx 15 xxxxx 12 12 xxxxxxxxx Navarro xxxxx 10 xxxxx 3 xxxxx 1 xxxxx 1 xxxxx 0 xxxxx 2 xxxxx 3 xxxxxx 9 xxxxx 11 xxxxx 12 13 xxxxxx Real Tapia xxxxx 10 xxxxx 2 xxxxx 3 xxxxx 0 xxxxx 0 xxxxx 2 xxxxx 3 xxxxx 14 xxxxx 18 xxxxx 11 14 xxxx Candás C.F. xxxxx 10 xxxxx 2 xxxxx 1 xxxxx 2 xxxxx 1 xxxxx 1 xxxxx 3 xxxxx 10 xxxxx 18 xxxxx 11 15 xxxxxxxxx Condal xxxxx 10 xxxxx 2 xxxxx 1 xxxxx 2 xxxxx 0 xxxxx 3 xxxxx 2 xxxxx 10 xxxxx 11 xxxxx 10 16 xxxxxxxx Hispano xxxxx 10 xxxxx 2 xxxxx 2 xxxxx 1 xxxxx 0 xxxxx 2 xxxxx 3 xxxxx 12 xxxxx 16 xxxxx 10 17 xxxxxxxxxx Astur xxxxx 10 xxxxx 1 xxxxx 1 xxxxx 3 xxxxx 2 xxxxx 0 xxxxx 3 xxxxx 12 xxxxx 24 xxxxx 10 18 xxxxxxxxxxx Siero xxxxx 10 xxxxx 0 xxxxx 2 xxxxx 3 xxxxx 2 xxxxx 1 xxxxx 2 xxxxx 12 xxxxx 17 xxxxxx 9 19 xxxxxx Ribadesella xxxxx 10 xxxxx 1 xxxxx 1 xxxxx 3 xxxxx 0 xxxxx 2 xxxxx 3 xxxxxx 6 xxxxx 12 xxxxxx 6 20 xxxxx S. D.Colloto xxxxx 10 xxxxx 0 xxxxx 1 xxxxx 4 xxxxx 0 xxxxx 2 xxxxx 3 xxxxxx 4 xxxxx 21 xxxxxx 3
Alonso leaves McLaren! Alonso in Oviedo celebrating his second title. Not sure if it's good or bad for Fernando Alonso. Will a return to Renault be as successfull as his last spell with the team? hopefully better!
Match 11: Sunday 4th November Llanes 3-1 Real Oviedo Real Oviedo 4-4-2 GK Aulestia RB José Luís, CB Carmona, CB Adrian (Jaime 63m), LB Lasarte, RM Jaime CM Falo, CM Curro (Armando Quesada 71m), LM Centrón, CF Stefan (Sergio Villanueva 63m), CF Diego Cervero. Cervero scored first but weakened team lost 3-1, defence had a nightmare. With Lucas Iglesias and Diego Meijide injured (along with long term casualty Juan Luis) Carrasco had little option but to field unfit Carmona and youth teamer Adrian in middle of defence. Match report to follow tomorrow. Lead at top of table cut from 4 down to 1 point now! Highlights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atLIxmXsV5c
Llanes 3-1 Real Oviedo Goals: 0-1, Diego Cervero 3m, penalty after Stefan tripped in area. 1-1, Hugo Santé 27m, long range wonder shot. 2-1, Miguelez 53m, header 3-1, Leiras 59m, direct from free-kick. Early Oviedo goal should have given the visitors a base to build on, and some good play early on should have yielded a goal or two. But defensively Oviedo were shaky with Carmona again looking weak. Llanes equalised with a speculative lob that sailed past a stranded Aulestia and from then on the rest of the half was all home side pressure. More pressure in the second half counted with Miguelez scoring a header unchallenged past an Oviedo defence all at sea. Third goal like the first was just quality, a freekick straight into the top corner, but you give away freekicks on the edge of the area you eventual get punished. Carrasco did his usual trick when chasing the game of taking off a defender playing 3 at back and pushing everyone forward, Villanueva came on and provided an outlet down the right supplying 2 decent crosses, both chances came and went with Cervero and Armanado Quesada the culprits. End to end stuff in last 20/25 minutes but while Oviedo could have scored they could just have easily conceeded more, bad performance equally poor result. Carrasco needs new recruits with little or no back up in the centre of defence. With Lucas Iglesias, Juan Luis and Diego Meijide out injured there are 3 versatile players unavailable, players who can fill a number of positions, and their absence shows how threadbare the squad is. All 3 should be contesting the 2 centre back spots but instead Carmona looks like getting an extended run how ever badly he plays. While defence is a big problem upfront it’s who to leave out, Quesada is the experienced old man who scores goals for fun in this league, Stefan and Matias the youngsters who have both done well at points in the season and then you have Bruno top goalscorer at last seasons champions Caudal, all 4 have good claims for a first team place alongside ever present Cervero but one atleast always misses out of even getting into the match squad let alone the first team. -- Next match (home) v CONDAL de Noreña (Sunday 11th November) Condal currently in 17th Place with 10 points so far. Condal Away form, 3 draws 1 defeat. 3-3 Real Tapia 1-1 Hispano 0-1 Candas 1-1 Llanes History: This is their 9th season in Tercera division otherwise played football in league lower down ladder, Regional prefertente etc… Oviedo have only played them twice, in 2003-04 a 1-0 home win and 4-0 away win to Oviedo.
Match 12: Sunday 11th November. Real Oviedo 1-0 Condal Real Oviedo 4-4-2 GK Aulestia RB José Luis , CB Falo, CB Meijide, LB Lasarte, LM Centrón, CM Curro, CM Jon Carrera, RM Sergio Villanueva CF Stefan, CF Diego Cervero. Goal - Cervero 27m. Defence decimated by injury, Meijide passing a late fitness test luckily, both Adrian and Nico called up from B team as cover. Carrasco decided to field midfielder Falo in centre of defence alongside Meijide. No place again for Jaime in starting line-up. 2nd placed Cudillero lost so Oviedo regain their 4 point lead at top.