Match Report: VCF Mestalla book place in PLIC quarter-finals with away win over Wolverhampton Wanderers FC U21 (0-1)

VCF Mestalla took on Wolverhampton Wanderers FC U21 on Matchday 3 of the Premier League International Cup on Tuesday evening at the Aggboroug Stadium in Kidderminster, Worcestershire, England in freezing weather conditions which saw VCF Mestalla come away with a 0-1 through Aimar Blázquez in the final minutes.

VCF Mestalla recorded a full set of victories after beating Nottingham Forest U21 and Tottenham Hotspur FC U21. VCF Mestalla have booked their ticket for the quarter-finals with one group stage fixture left to play against Reading FC U21.

Miguel Ángel Angulo’s side enjoyed a wealth of chances right from the off first a Martín Tejón cross-strike who then subsequently won a foul on the edge of the box but the danger was snuffed out by the opposition.

Late on Ali Fadal enjoyed an effort on target but the ball blazed over the crossbar following a fine link-up play between Martín Moreno as VCF Mestalla continued to dictate proceedings in the early goings of the game. Joselu enjoyed a header but the Irish goalkeeper claimed the ball with ease.

Wolverhampton FC U21 responded with two dangerous chances one from set-pieces, but they could not get the shot away to trouble Vicente Abril.   

RUED SPOT-KICK 

VCF Mestalla reacted again, and on the half-hour mark, Joselu had another chance on a counterattack led by Martín Tejón. The striker from Madrid outpaced the defenders, who were on hand to turn Joselu's shot behind the goalkeeper for a corner.

Minutes later a penalty was awarded to VCF Mestalla after Gurendal was brought down in the box. The penalty, taken hard and low by Martín Tejón, was saved by Gracey who again proved his worth shortly after with a great save from Gurendal's spot-kick.     

 SECOND HALF

 The second half followed the same script as the first 45 minutes and again VCF Mestalla had the better chances, the first of which came from a Martín Tejón through ball, and Joselu's shot in the heart of the box, ahead of the centre-backs, came back off the post.

Andres Caro's header from a corner came back off the post, another VCF Mestalla chance as Andrés Caro, Aimar, Ro, Pablo López and Álex Cerdá all came on for VCF Mestalla in search of the winning goal.

The winning goal finally came in the 81st minute when Otorbi broke down the right flank and Aimar Blázquez finished off his cross to seal the third win in three games. 

The scoreline could have been wider still when Otorbi hit the post, and the rebound was picked up by Alex Cerdá, who was up against the Wolves goalkeeper. Yet again, he produced a great stop to deny Aimar Blázquez in stoppage time.

Next up:

VCF Mestalla will take on Reading FC U21 at the turn of the year in their fourth and final group-stage fixture in the Premier League International Cup.