Valencia spoil Racing celebrations
Reuters - Monday 31 January 2011, 22:23
MADRID, Jan 31 (Reuters) - Valencia grabbed a late equaliser
to draw 1-1 at Racing Santander in La Liga on Monday, putting a
damper on the festive atmosphere at the Sardinero following
their takeover by an Indian businessman over the weekend.
Ahsan Ali Syed has bought the majority shareholding in the
north-coast club and could be seen celebrating in the stands
when striker Ariel nodded them in front after a corner in the
32nd minute.
Racing were seeking their first win in 2011 and had already
hit the post earlier on, but Valencia have made a habit of
scoring late goals recently and steadily improved in the second
half.
Tino Costa levelled 12 minutes from time with a fierce shot
into the top corner and the visitors had Ricardo Costa sent off
in the 89th minute.
Racing's Medhi Lacen was also sent off soon after in the
frenetic closing stages, but the hosts held on to end a run of
five consecutive wins for Valencia.
The visitors strengthened their hold on fourth place and the
last Champions League qualification slot with 41 points from 21
games. Racing are 17th with 21 points.
Barcelona top the standings with 58 points, seven ahead of
second-placed Real Madrid after notching their 15th consecutive
victory with a 3-0 win at Hercules on Saturday.
Real were surprise 1-0 losers at Osasuna on Sunday.