A SCRAP FOR A COPA DEL REY SPOT AND SO MUCH MORE
UD Lanzarote played their final away league game of the season yesterday and strolled past mid table side UD Tamaraceite to move up to second spot with a 0-3 win.
Unfortunately it was not enough to go into their final league match this Sunday at 11am to challenge for the sole automatic promotion spot.
Congratulations to CD Tenerife B who are champions and are promoted to the RFEF 2 (fourth tier) after earning a point against U.S.Yaiza yesterday. They will be competing against mostly mainland sides two divisions below their first team that play in Segunda A (The Championship). It is a big jump up in category and for last seasons Gran Canarian side UD San Fernando it proved to be too much as they have been relegated.
Both UD Lanzarote and U.S. Yaiza must also congratulate themselves after a season where they have both been exceptional and guaranteed themselves the bare minimum of a playoff position months ago.
There is just one point that separates the two sides as the pair meet head to head going into the final game of the season in Arrecife this Sunday 12th May at a 11am kick off.
The importance of this match is huge. Finishing second guarantees inclusion in the Copa Del Rey next season and the chance to meet up with one of Spain’s giants. Usually that spot is only reserved for the champions but because it is the B team of Tenerife they are not allowed two teams in the same competition.
Finishing in second position also guarantees that you play the fifth placed side with the second leg at home. There are many differences in Spanish football compared to other leagues. Firstly, rather than goal difference between clubs it goes down to how they fair playing head to head. The Rojillos drew with CD Tenerife B in Tenerife however they beat us 1-2 at home so take the advantage. It will only go down to goal difference if both teams are equal on head to head.
PLAYOFFS
Both Lanzarote and Yaiza have qualified for the playoffs. The lowest league position Lanzarote can finish is third and Yaiza fourth. Both teams can finish second, Lanzarote need a draw and Yaiza must win.
This is how I understand how the playoff system works, if there has been changes or I am wrong in any manner please let me know:
The team that finishes in second position will play the 5th placed side which is CF P.P. San Mateo. The first leg will be away on Sunday 19th with the return leg at home a week later on Sunday 26th. The Spanish Federation will not state times until the league season is completed.
Whichever side finishes in third place will play the fourth placed side, again with the away and home legs on the same dates. The winners will then meet in another two legged affair on the 2nd and 9th of June with the team who finished the season in the highest league position having the advantage of the second leg at home.
Unfortunately it is not all over then. The winners of that then have to face the winners of a team in mainland Spain who have done exactly the same. The team that finished in the higher league position in either league will once again have the advantage of the second leg at home.
Another big advantage of finishing in a higher league position is that after 30 minutes of extra time, if needed in the quarter final and semi final stages there are no penalties, the team that finished the season in a higher league position qualifies for the final which is almost the same as having a goal start.
In the Gran Final if the teams are level after both legs and extra time then there will be penalties to decide which team is promoted.
Lanzarote do have the advantage as they only need a draw on Sunday whereas Yaiza must go out and look for the win however a draw will keep them in third position. There is no way that Lanzarote will set out looking for a draw as that would be suicide especially as Yaiza have beaten the Rojillos 0-1 in Arrecife for the past two season.
It is a fitting ending for a fabulous season for both sides. The winner is in the Spanish Copa Del Rey and will also play the so called easier side of CF P.P. San Mateo in the first playoff match with the return leg at home.
Tickets for this match can be bought on the day but there will be big demand so if you prefer not to queue they can also be bought at our merchandise shop in Costa Teguise at CC Nautical, Local 25 Mon-Fri 10am to 1pm and also Wednesday 5-7pm. In Puerto Del Carmen they are available in the evenings from David at the Irish Harbour Bar and Brendan at Dicey Rileys Bar both in the Old Town. In Arrecife they will be available from the club office at Calle El Isleño 4 on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6-8pm and on Friday 10am to 12 noon and again from 6-8pm. Tickets are the same price as normal.
