Bellies full of paella, hearts full of hope, and lungs full of song; around 1,000 CD Tenerife fans roared their approval as the team coach swung into Calle Mutine in the shadow of the Heliodoro stadium in Santa Cruz. Welcoming the team for a home game has become the latest ritual as the fans dig deep to help the fight to avoid relegation from La Liga. This week a street party complete with beer and a giant paella cranked up the fever, and what a winning recipe it turned out to be as CD Tenerife beat Getafe 3-2 in a thriller.
The season’s first away win at Sporting in the week reduced the gap to that elusive 4th from bottom safety slot to just three points, Creemos, We Believe is the message defiantly worn on a new range of fans” t-shirts. The Armada Sur peña brought their usual two coach loads of fans to the party including some regular Scottish visitors trapped by the airline problems, they were about to find out that every volcanic cloud has a silver lining.
Getafe were fighting for a place in Europe and came out all guns blazing; looking fast and skilful down the wings they gave Tenerife a torrid opening. Miku took the ball to the byline and crossed for Pedro Leon to crash in an opener after 10 minutes. Tenerife were on the back foot. Del Moral squandered a good chance and it was a matter of weathering the storm. Gradually Tenerife settled and took the game to the visitors and after 30 minutes Roman slung in a teasing cross and Nino rose to head it in the Getafe goal. The blanquiazul were in full cry and Alfaro forced two good saves out of the visiting Codina, Culebras blasted wide as the goal gaped open before him and at 1-1 going into the break, hopes were high among the 18,900 crowd.
Tenerife continued to dominate in the second half. Roman brought a finger tip save out of Codina and Nino drew the keeper wide before Mane slid in to clear. The pressure had to pay off. Home captain Bertran threaded a ball through to Nino and he slid it past the keeper to put CDT ahead. Getafe had more to offer and kept pushing, Casquero showed his heading ability with a 75th minute equaliser to briefly interrupt the party.
This was Nino’s day, he was everywhere up front, probing down the left and right and sniffing out any half chance. Alfaro picked out the eager striker and he teased Codina in goal before beating him with a cool finish. The scoreboard gave extra encouragement from rivals” games and the party was back in full swing as a sea of bodies danced and sang on the terraces. The final whistle signalled an explosion of joy, the great escape is still on. Malaga could only draw 0-0 at home to Valladolid leaving Tenerife just one point adrift from safety. Just five games left and next Sunday the action moves to Atletico Madrid, the blue and white faithful are ready to follow in their hundreds, just keep those skies clear.
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