Second Division play-offs

Osasuna 3 - Gimnàstic Tarragona 1

Osasuna: Nauzet; Oier, Tano, Miguel Flaño, David García, Javi Flaño; Mikel Merino, Manuel Sánchez, Roberto Torres (Berenguer 77’), De las Cuevas (Pucko 85’); Kenan Kodro. 5-4-1.
Nástic: Reina; Gerard Valentín, Suzuki, Xavi Molina, Mossa (Ferrán 86’); Madinda, Sergio Tejera; Cristian Lobato (Jean Luc 62’), Juan Muñiz (Alex De Groot 62’), Naranjo; Emaná. 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
1-0. 33. Merino. Turned in rebound after David García headed on corner.
2-0. 40. Merino. Steered shot past Reina after keeper saved García header.
3-0. 57. Kodro. Picked up Merino pass and fired angled shot across keeper.
3-1. 67. Jean Luc. Latched on to Mossa cross and struck shot wide of Nauzet.

Yellow cards: Iago Bouzón 68’, Roberto Torres 70’, Madinda 70’, Mossa 74’, Kodro 86’, Gerard Valentín 92’.

The play-offs for the one remaining promotion spot began today, with four teams meeting over two-leg semi-finals to decide the two finalists. Nàstic were favourites after just missing out on direct promotion on the last day, but they now have an uphill battle after losing the first leg 3-1 at Osasuna. Naranjo wasted an early chance and David García blocked an effort from Juan Muñiz, but Mikel Merino (on his way to Borussia Dortmund after the season finishes) opened the scoring for the locals after David García headed on a De las Cuevas corner. Some seven minutes later Merino got his second following a Roberto Torres free kick, the midfielder turning the ball in to the net after Reina pushed out García’s header, and a few minutes after the restart Kodro made it three after Merino put him free on the right of the area. Soon afterwards though substitute Jean Luc scored an important away goal for the Catalans, keeping alive their chances of turning things around in next Saturday’s second leg in Tarragona.