Spanish Segunda B side, Club Deportivo Roda held Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) club, Rivers United FC to a 3-3 draw in a cracking pre-season friendly match at the Estadio Ciudad Deportivo Pamesa on Monday night.
Richi struck an opportunistic goal, deep into second half added time to rescue a share of the spoils for the Spanish club. The Monday’s game was United’s second in their fifth and final phase of pre-season in Spain.
Emeka Ogbugh had given United a deserved lead inside the opening 10 minutes but the hosts battled back and equalized moments later after Festus Austine, under pressure, bundled the ball past Abiodun Akande in goal for United.
The Spaniards began the second half on the front foot and got due reward when Charly Garcia smashed home to put them 2-1 up, six minutes after the break. 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, Richi popped up late to plunder a barely-deserved equalizer 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 wasnever about the result but about the performance and the lessons to be learnt,” the attacker told the club’s website.
Another United striker, Elvis Wike however refusedto 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 inthe 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.
Meanwhile, United beat Villarreal B 1-0 in their firstpre-season game in Spain last week.