Noko Matlou’s SD Eibar Femenino in the Spanish Women’s 2nd division missed out on an opportunity to return to the top of the table after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Leandra Smeda’s Dux Logrono on Sunday (22 January 2022).
SD Eibar Women, who were relegated from the Spanish top flight last season, has been leading the log standings but were undone by a draw in their last fixture, against Fundación Albacete in their second game of 2023 last weekend (15 January) – handing the reigns over to Deportivo La Coruna.
Matlou’s outfit further stumbled to a draw against Dux Logrono – leaving them in third place, tied on 31 points with Deportivo and the second-placed CP Cacereño.
SD Eibar Femenino could have snatched all three points in the 85th minute when they were awarded a penalty but they failed to take advantage, and shared the spoils.
“This was a massive game, we needed the three points to go back to the top and control the proceedings. We knew they (Dux Logrono) also needed a win to stay within touching distance with the top sides, and this draw was a setback even though we got a point instead of nothing from the match. We are not too worried because we still have to play the teams above us, and we have to do our best to eliminate them,” said Matlou from her base in Spain.
“Also, we have a long road ahead of us, but the important thing is to return to the summit and stay there until the end of the season so we can get automatic promotion, because teams in second, third and fourth place go into play-offs, where there are no guarantees.”
There are 14 rounds of matches remaining and SD Eibar Women next face the struggling Athletic B who are on the 15th spot.
“On paper it looks like free points, but there are no easy games especially against teams fighting for relegation. We have to go into this match thoroughly prepared because those are the kind of sides that can be a banana peel if you take them lightly. So we have to fight until the final whistle,” added the Banyana Banyana defender.
Cape Town-born Smeda was a no-show for the second match in a row after suffering a minor muscle injury two weeks ago.
“I am seeing the doctor on Monday (23 January) to clear me to return to play. I think I should be able to play this coming weekend because I had been given two weeks to recover,” said Smeda from Spain.
Dux Logrono came into the match high on confidence after defeating Cacereño in their last fixture, but the draw against Eibar left them (Dux Logrono) in fifth place, dropping down one spot with Barcelona B jumping into fourth position, following a 3-1 victory of Rayo Vallecano on Saturday (21 January).
“It was a tough match, obviously disappointed not being able to be on the field. And we were lucky to escape when SD Eibar missed a penalty late in the match. But it was a moment we had been waiting for because our goalkeeper made a great save – this after we had watched footage of their regular penalty taker and knew what to expect,” added Smeda.
Dux Logrono host Barcelona B this coming Saturday (28 January) in what is expected to be another tough day at the office.
“Indeed, this is not going to be easy. They are a good side and being above us they will make sure they fight to stay there – but we need these three points to stay in the race for either the championship or the play-offs. We cannot afford to keep dropping points as this will harm us come end of the season,” said Smeda.
In 16 outings, Dux Logrono have collected 29 points – one less than Barcelona B. In 2023 alone, Smeda’s side have won two matches before being held by Eibar in their third game.
By Matlhomola Morake
