MATCH REPORT | CD Jávea 2-0 UD Canals

Monday 23rd January 2023
Mike Smith with Xàbia AL DÍA

CD Jávea triumphed 2-0 against UD Canals on a chilly Sunday late afternoon, the first win at home since the first game of the season and a second consecutive victory for the first time this campaign, both of which finished with a clean sheet for the rojiblancos. The appointment of Julio Ivorra as head coach may have raised eyebrows in some quarters but it is clear that he’s getting the team to play football and that is beginning to reap the rewards.

The home side went ahead after just two minutes when José Cabo skipped down the right hand side to the goal line before whipping in a delightful cross into the box which Elian converted into the net after putting himself ahead of a hesitant goalkeeper. 1-0 to Jávea and a great start.

With Julio Ivorra directing every move from the sidelines, the home side passed the ball around with far more confidence and with far greater insight to give the visitor’s the runaround in midfield. The faces were the same but this was a different Jávea side, heads up, running into spaces, deft touches, always seeking a way forward rather than playing the ball around the back line, trying to play safe, looking for the counter.

For much of the first half, the home side was in confident charge and should have doubled the advantage through José Cabo after some powerful attacking work from Luis García but he was unable to finish off the move with the goal beckoning. Moments later, young striker Carlos Bisquert might have scored but his effort hit the post with the keeper beaten. At the first period drew to a close, Canals tried to find a balance but struggled to contain a resurgent Jávea side who almost went into the break with a two-goal advantage but a forced shot from Rubén Ortolá couldn’t find the target.

In the opening few minutes of the second half, Canals sought the equaliser but Jávea keeper Tonet was on top form to block the rare incursion into his area. And thus it was Jávea who dominated once again. With Elian limping, the experienced Javi Hernández was brought on and he combined with skipper Aldo Michan to produce a master play that ended with Carlos stroking the ball past the keeper and into the net to make it 2-0.

A sense of calm seeped into both the players and the fans who could finally enjoy a game of football without the awkward nagging feeling that it would all go wrong. Ivorra made three changes, bring on Paco, Borja and David to get a few valuable playing minutes, and Jávea continued to pass the ball around the pitch with confidence. The final whistle brought cheers from the stand, fist pumps on the pitch, and three more points added to the tally.

Next weekend, CD Jávea make the short journey down the coast to Calpe for a Marina Alta derby game. The hosts have claimed just one victory in the past six games – a 2-0 home win over SD Sueca – and drew 0-0 in Dénia this weekend. It will be a touch test for Julio Ivorra’s side as they bid to continue their climb away from the wrong end of the table.

Before the game, a tribute was paid for former player and coach, Rubén Plá, who passed away recently after a long battle with illness. The player was born in Canals and spent several seasons at CD Jávea, playing alongside current captain Aldo and head coach Julio Ivorra. The club represented flowers to his parents as well as a number 17 shirt emblazoned with his name. Both sides also observed a minute’s silence in memory of the grandmother of Jávea’s goakeeper Tonet.