Fourth-tier Portugalete draw Valencia in Cup
Reuters - Friday 10 October 2008, 14:48
MADRID - Portugalete of the Spanish
Tercera division (fourth tier) were pitched against holders and
Primera Liga leaders Valencia in the draw for the last 32 of the
King's Cup on Friday.
The modest Basque club, from just outside Bilbao, have home
advantage for the first leg on Oct. 29 and are the lowest ranked
side left in the competition.
They face Unai Emery's early Primera Liga pacesetters, who
are unbeaten in their opening six league matches. Last season,
under Ronald Koeman, Valencia beat Getafe 3-1 in the final to
claim their seventh King's Cup crown.
"At home we will battle away, try not to concede a goal, and
work hard in defence. Beyond that, we have no alternative but to
try and enjoy ourselves and see if we can nick some of their
shirts," Portugalete player Iker Arzubiaga told Radio Popular.
"I don't think for a moment we have a chance of progressing.
If it was a one-off game we could cause an upset winning at
home, but later to go to the Mestalla will be tough."
The arrival of the top-flight clubs in the tournament also
saw Segunda B (third tier) sides Real Union and Benidorm drawn
with champions Real Madrid and 24-times cup winners Barcelona
respectively.
There are four all-Primera Liga ties that include Getafe,
runners-up over the last two years, playing Osasuna and 23-times
winners Athletic Bilbao facing 2003 finalists Recreativo Huelva.
The first legs are scheduled to be played on October 29 with
the return matches on November 12.
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