CD Estepona Wins the 40th Frasquito Cañá Trophy

CD Estepona was crowned champion of the 40th Frasquito Cañá Trophy this Saturday, August 15, after defeating CD Casabermeja 0-1 in the final match of the three-team tournament. Manolo Sánchez’s team thus wrapped up its first preseason road trip with a new title and a positive outlook heading into the start of the season.

CD Estepona continues to make progress in its preparations for the upcoming season. The Estepona team participated this Saturday in the 40th Frasquito Cañá Trophy, held at the Martín Vadillo Stadium in Casabermeja, in a three-team tournament that also featured Atlético Malagueño and the host team, CD Casabermeja.
The tournament consisted of three 45-minute matches. The first match pitted Atlético Malagueño against CD Casabermeja, ending in a 1-1 tie at the end of regulation time, with CD Casabermeja winning in a penalty shootout.
Next, CD Estepona faced Atlético Malagueño, earning a 2-2 draw before losing 5-6 in the penalty shootout. In the final match, Manolo Sánchez’s team defeated CD Casabermeja 0-1 to claim the trophy.

CD Estepona Fights Back Against Atlético Malagueño
CD Estepona’s first match in the tournament began with Fran Martínez in goal, accompanied by Candelas, Julen Jon, Ariel Herrero, Ale Contreras, David Ballarín, Claverías, Roi Tato, Maxi Benites, Marín, and Caro, who served as captain.
The Estepona squad came out from the start intent on pressing high up the field, following one of the hallmarks of Manolo Sánchez’s team. Barely thirty seconds had passed when Ariel Herrero had the first big chance, though the Atlético Malagueño goalkeeper responded with a great save from point-blank range.
The Málaga-based team grew into the game as the minutes passed and took a 0-1 lead in the 11th minute. Marcos Rosa put Atlético Malagueño ahead with a great goal following a team play.
CD Estepona tried to respond, and Fran Martínez stepped up in the 15th minute to prevent the Málaga side from scoring a second goal, making a fine save on a header following a free kick from the sideline.
However, Atlético Malagueño managed to extend their lead. Basti made it 0-2 in the 15th minute after Estepona turned the ball over.
Estepona’s response was immediate. Barely a minute later, Roi Tato cut the lead in half by capitalizing on a mistake by the Málaga-based team following a great through ball.
With the score at 1-2, Manolo Sánchez’s team began to gain momentum. In the 19th minute, Candelas came close to equalizing with a volley off a pass from Ariel, but the goalkeeper made a great save.
Fran Martínez was in the spotlight again in the 24th minute, when he blocked a shot from the Málaga forward with his foot after the player had sprinted down the wing and cut the ball back.
CD Estepona’s persistence paid off in the 25th minute. After a nice play by Candelas down the wing, the ball came to a stop inside the box and David Ballarín appeared to finish the play. His shot found the back of the net after deflecting off an Atlético Malagueño player.
Estepona had managed to bounce back after falling behind 0-2 early on.
In the 41st minute, Atlético Malagueño had a clear-cut chance to retake the lead, but the shot crashed off the crossbar.
Finally, the first 45 minutes ended with a 2-2 tie.

Atlético Malagueño Wins 5-6 in a Penalty Shootout
The tie forced the match to be decided from the penalty spot, as stipulated by the tournament format.
For CD Estepona, Ariel, Ale Contreras, Ballarín, Roi Tato, and Caro scored, while Julen Jon and Candelas failed to convert their attempts.
Atlético Malagueño managed to maintain the necessary accuracy and ultimately prevailed 5-6 in the penalty shootout.
With this result, CD Estepona had to face the host team, CD Casabermeja, in the final match of the three-team tournament.

CD Estepona Defeats Casabermeja and Wins the Tournament
For the final match, Manolo Sánchez made numerous lineup changes and gave playing time to other players on the roster. The starting lineup consisted of Héctor Oliva, Jorge Álvarez, Titi, Á.D. Garamendi, Heber Pena, Francis Araujo, Roi Tato, Samu Expósito, Sandji Baradji, Alberto G., and Pomares.
CD Casabermeja started the match controlling much of the possession, while Estepona tried to take advantage of open spaces to launch quick counterattacks.
In the 13th minute, Samu Expósito had a good chance with a first-time shot following a team play, but the home goalkeeper managed to stop the attempt.
The home team continued to control the ball for much of the match. In the 20th minute, Francis Araujo headed the ball over the crossbar after a cross from the wing by Jorge Álvarez.
Estepona continued to look for their chance. In the 24th minute, Nacho Ramón failed to convert a through ball after stretching to reach it.
In the 27th minute, Heber Pena came close to scoring with a free kick from the edge of the box that grazed the far post.
The reward came in the 30th minute.
A mistake by Casabermeja on a throw-in allowed Sandji Baradji to recover the ball and pass it to Samu Expósito, who tried to finish the play, though his shot was blocked by a defender.
The ball eventually found its way to Francis Araujo, who managed to get past his marker and send the ball into the box. There, Sandji Baradji appeared and finished from point-blank range with his foot to make it 0-1.
CD Estepona had a chance to extend its lead a minute later. Jorge Álvarez made a great run down the wing, reached the end line, and delivered a magnificent backheel pass to Sandji, whose shot went just wide of the right post.
Casabermeja tried to mount a comeback in the final minutes, but the Estepona team managed to hold on to their lead.
After 45 minutes, the score remained unchanged, and CD Estepona won 0-1, claiming the title of champion of the XL Frasquito Cañá Trophy.

Titi Highlights the Team’s Efforts Throughout the Tournament
At the conclusion of the tournament, Cristian Fernández 'Titi' spoke highly of the team’s performance and emphasized the importance of accumulating playing time during the preseason.
The captain explained that the two matches played by CD Estepona allowed the team to distribute playing time among the roster and continue improving physically.
Titi also emphasized the importance of these types of matches in preparing the team for the various scenarios they’ll face during the season: “You have to know how to play on every kind of field, and I think this has been a positive experience.”
The player also said the team is eager for the official season to begin and highlighted the positive vibe resulting from the work done during preseason.
The captain noted that the players are adapting well to Manolo Sánchez’s approach and stated that the team is “really hungry to achieve something special this year.”

First Preseason Title for CD Estepona
The XL Frasquito Cañá Trophy ended on a positive note for CD Estepona. The team gained playing time against two opponents from the province of Málaga, defeated CD Casabermeja, and ultimately lifted the trophy.
The three-team tournament also allowed Manolo Sánchez to distribute playing time among virtually the entire roster, including several players from the reserve team, at a stage of the preseason when competitive rhythm is becoming increasingly important.
CD Estepona would like to thank CD Casabermeja for the invitation and for organizing the tournament.

Pablo Aguilar was unavailable for this tournament; he was not called up for the Frasquito Caña Trophy due to an infection in his toe that prevents him from competing

Next preseason match: CD Estepona vs. Antequera CF
The Estepona team already has its sights set on its next preseason match.
CD Estepona will face Antequera CF on Wednesday, August 19, at 7:00 p.m. at the Estepona Football Center in Arroyo Enmedio.
The match will be played behind closed doors due to limited capacity, so the public will not be allowed into the venue.
After winning the 40th Frasquito Cañá Trophy, CD Estepona will face Antequera CF in another test to continue building playing time, rhythm, and confidence before the start of the official season.

The work continues.