By Victor Okoye
Abuja – Ricardo Martínez of Spanish Club, CD Roda on Monday night struck a late goal to deny Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Club, Rivers United in a pre-season friendly match victory.
Reports on the club’s website on Tuesday said Martínez struck an opportunist goal deep into second half added time to rescue a share of the spoils for the Spanish club in a cracking pre-season friendly match.
“The rip-roaring contest which finished 3-3 at Estadio Ciudad Deportivo Pamesa was United’s second in their fifth and final phase of pre-season in Spain,’’ it said.
It noted that Emeka Ogbugh had given United a deserved lead inside the opening 10 minutes.
But, the hosts battled back and equalised moments later after Festus Austine, under pressure, bundled the ball past Abiodun Akande in goal for United.
It said the Spaniards began the second half on the front foot and got their due reward when Charly Garcia smashed home to put them 2-1 up, six minutes after the break.
However, stung into action, the Pride of Rivers reacted gamely and turned the game on its head following excellent goals from Godbless Asamoah and Nzebe Anaezemba.
With United seemingly cruising to a second successive win in Spain, Martínez popped up late to plunder a barely-deserved equaliser for the home side.
Scorer of United’s second goal, Asamoah spoke about his goal-scoring contribution which temporarily pegged the scores at 2-2.
“We started well by getting an early goal which set the tone for our third goal.
“I was happy to score because as a striker, I always want to score as it helps with confidence.
“For me and the team, it was never about the result but about the performance and the lessons to be learnt,” Asamoah said.
Another United striker, Elvis Wike, however, refused to be crestfallen and outlined the positives of the game and the club’s tour to Spain.
“The game against Villarreal was a lot slower in terms of the pace and intensity as opposed to the game against CD Roda which was also very physical.
“But we gave as good as we got and almost won in the end.
“We have learned a lot so far in Spain and we know the lessons will serve us well in the coming days,” Wike explained.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that United beat Villarreal B 1-0 in their first pre-season game in Spain last week.
The 2016/2017 season is expected to kickoff on Jan. 15 with Rivers United starting their campaign against Elkanemi Warriors at the Liberation Stadium in Port Harcourt.