Basconia Eliminated From Promotional Playoffs In 1-0 Loss To Portugalete

Basconia were beaten 1-0 by Portugalete in the first round of the playoffs (AC)

Basconia were facing an uphill battle going into Saturday’s promotional playoff first round game against Portugalete. In addition to playing the top team from Group IV, Basconia needed a win to advance as a draw would see Portugalete go through as the higher seeded team. Still, Patxi Salinas’s players didn’t shy away from the challenge.

Knowing their situation, Basconia went on the attack from the opening whistle. The Basauritarras were patient enough to play out from the back with Mikel Kortazar and Álvaro Núñez pushing the ball forward. Portugalete would slowly start to get into the game and looked to have opened up the scoring in the 22nd minute, but the offside flag was up on the play.

Basconia would have their best chance of the first half in the 42nd minute through a free kick. Nico Williams would take the shot and sent a curling effort just wide of the near post. The second half would start just like the first with Basconia nearly finding the back of the net. A shot from Rudi was blocked and fell to Williams at the far post, but the 18-year-old was unable to put a clean shot on target.

The Basauritarras would go close again at the hour mark before Kortazar put a free kick shot under the wall and right to the goalkeeper minutes later. Jon Guruzeta would then his the post with a shot of his own. Basconia’s best chance of the entire game came during the six minutes of added time when Ruben Azcona put in a cross to Unai Naviera who had a free header in the box sent just over the crossbar.

Basconia pushed everyone forward in the final minutes of the game with a goal needed to advance. Portugalete would finally take advantage of the space in the 95th minute when a counter attack led to a late winning goal. Basconia had controlled play for most of the game, but Portugalete did just enough to come away with a 1-0 victory and eliminate the Basauritarras from the playoffs.

Leave A Comment