Eibar don’t take their chances, lose 2-0 and are eliminated

Eibar have been eliminated from the promotion playoffs after losing 2-0 at home to Real Oviedo in a game in which they dominated but failed to capitalise on the chances they created.

It was expected to be a high voltage match due to the importance of what was at stake and so it proved. Rather than sit back, Eibar came out determined to take the game by the scruff of the neck and from the off they took the initiative.

Eibar came close to scoring in the 13th minute when Cristian launched a counter-attack which ended with Stoichkov’s shot being saved by Leo Román. Then, in the 23rd minute, Corpas fired a right-footed shot from inside the area after a Mario Soriano pass and he forced the Real Oviedo goalkeeper into an even better block.

The rest of the first half was more balanced, and passed without any more dangerous chances, with both teams struggling to take control of the game.

Joseba Etxeberria’s men continued to dominate in the second half, going in search of a goal that would give them more peace of mind, but it was Real Oviedo who scored in the 59th minute with a header from Alemao. It was the first shot on goal for the visitors in the entire match.

From that point onwards, Eibar were forced to pour forward in attack in search of a levelling goal. They tried their best, but couldn’t find a way through a well-organised Real Oviedo defence.

Then, the visitors put the tie to bed in the 79th minute with a counter-attacking goal from Sebas Moyano.

This result ends Eibar’s promotion hopes for this season, after a campaign in which they have fought near the top of the table throughout. Special mention should be made of the crowd at Ipurua, who filled the stands and cheered the team on until the very last minute of the season.