Tenerife B Scout Copa del Rey Opponent Alcalá While Defending Top Spot

Tenerife B will be scouting ahead today. They're playing away against RDS Alcalá in Alcalá de Henares, near Madrid (5:00 PM, you can watch on the club's YouTube channel). This match isn't just another away game for Tenerife's second team. It's also a chance to check out CD Tenerife's upcoming opponent in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday. Players like Mazinho, Cervera, Aragoneses Jr, Dani Martín, and Gabri de Vuyst could get a preview. The B team's league match at the Municipal El Val comes just before the A team plays there in the cup tournament.

Beyond the scheduling coincidence, this game is crucial for Tenerife B. Mazinho's team is on a high after winning their last away game against Intercity. This win helped them stay top of Group 5 in the Second Federation. Despite a recent home loss to Yugo Socuéllamnos, who are at the bottom of the league, the young island team showed maturity in Alicante. Ybarra scored twice (a free kick and a header) to level the score each time, and Zubelzu scored the winning goal from a set piece in added time, making it 3-2. It was a vital victory. Firstly, because they beat a strong team aiming for the promotion play-offs. Secondly, because it helped the B team bounce back after their first defeat of the season.

Before that, Tenerife B had won their first three games (1-0 against Las Palmas Atlético, 1-0 against Quintanar del Rey, and 2-0 against Elche Ilicitano), drawn at home against Conquense (1-1), and won away against Orihuela (2-1). That's 16 points out of a possible 21, putting them in first place.

Tenerife B has strengths like the reliable goalkeeper Aragoneses Jr, the leadership of captain Zubelzu (one of the few players remaining from last year), Joel's tactical awareness, Ulloa's playmaking, and Ybarra's skill. Mazinho has kept his starting lineup consistent, with nine players starting in all seven games and Joel starting in six.

Tenerife isn't particularly focused on any individual player from Alcalá. However, their coach, Ángel Manuel Vivar Dorado, is noteworthy. The 51-year-old from Madrid played as a midfielder for Tenerife between 1994 and 1998, making 84 appearances and scoring six goals. He then had a successful career with Racing de Santander, Rayo Vallecano, Getafe, and Albacete, playing nearly 500 matches, including 296 in the First Division and 6 in the UEFA Cup.

Vivar Dorado took over as Alcalá coach when they were in the Third Division. In his first season, he led them to promotion to the Second Federation. Now, like any newly promoted team, their main goal is to stay in the league. Alcalá is currently twelfth with eight points, just above the relegation zone. They've conceded six goals and scored five, with Javi Hernández scoring three of them.