Mallorca earned three vitalpoints at the Iberostar Stadium in its fight against relegation after defeating Tenerife with a header from Alfredo Ortuño in the 80th minute.
The three points supply Fernando Vázquez team with oxygen, and dilute Tenerife´s playoff ambitions.
Mallorca put an end to the five-game winless streak while Tenerife--who took only two points from the previous four games--remained winless in Palma since 1993.
Not even the presence of the ex-Mallorca captain Josep Lluís Martí, who was an active player all but one year ago, altered the difficult result for Tenerife in the Balearic Capital.
Tenerife committed the fatal error of sitting back for a majority of the second half, and paid for it ten minutes from the final whistle, when they could not react.
In an open game for both teams, Mallorca had the best chance (5th minute) through the French winger Michael Pereira, but Tenerife keeper Dani Hernández reacted well.
Neither Mallorca nor Tenerife wanted a tie, so attacked, but with few quality chances.
The Tenerifean attack was even less, but their best chance came in the 12th minute, when Choco Lozano tested the home-side´s German keeper, Timon Wellenreuther.
The first half was characterized by Mallorcan pressure, though light, which also amounted to problems for the opponents every time Mallorca stretched the field. Mallorca opted for speed on the flanks, alternating Diogo Salomao, Lago Junior, and Pereira, with Alfredo Ortuño hoping for the final pass, which never came.
Even so, Tenerife was very organized on the field, holding steady and creating dangerous chances in the final third, including six corners that they took in the first 45 minutes.
The Mallorcan team came out pressing in the second half, with the opponent preferred to sit and wait for a chance to sneak a goal between Wellenreuther´s posts.
The locals´ pressure increased as time dwindled, but just like the first half, it was the Tenerifean side who had the clearest opportunity on goal, through German´s header in the 74th minute, missing only slightly.
Mallorca maintained control and dominated possession before Tenerife sat back so much so that a Joan Oriol cross from the left found the rising-head of Alfredo Ortuño, which eluded the sprawling Dani Hernandez in the 80th minute.
The goal irked the Tenerifean side, and Omar nearly chipped a surprised Wellenreuther from mid-field.
In the final minutes, Tenerife searched extensively for a tie, but met a strong Mallorcan defense, who protected its three vital points in the fight against relegation.
-Lineups:
1 - Mallorca: Wellenreuther; Campabadal, Aveldaño, Yuste, Oriol; Salomao (Acuña, min. 76), Sabater, Sissoko, Pereira (Brandon, min. 59); Lago Junior (Pol Roigé, min. 72) and Ortuño.
0 - Tenerife: Dani Hernández; Cámara, Germán Sánchez, Carlos Ruiz, Saúl; Suso Santana (Javi Lara, min. 73), Ricardo León (Alberto, min. 65), Aitor Sanz, Omar; Choco Lozano (Jairo, min. 81) and Nano.
Goal: 1-0, min. 80: Ortuño.
Referees: Pablo González Fuertes (joined by fellow Asturians). Yellow card cautions to Suso and Omar of Tenerife; and to Pol Roigé and Campabadal of Mallorca.
Details: Game played as part of the thirty-eight fixture of the Liga Adelante at the Iberostar Stadium in front of some 7,246 spectators. EFE
