Alcorcon complete Real's humiliation in King's Cup

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(China daily)
Updated: 2009-11-12 14:50

MADRID: Third-tier Alcorcon lost 1-0 to Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on Tuesday but dumped the nine-time European champions out of the King's Cup 4-1 on aggregate.

Real had promised to rectify their embarrassing 4-0 first leg defeat with a stirring fightback at home at the last-32 stage.

Manuel Pellegrini's side though, boasting Raul and Ruud van Nistelrooy up front supported by Gonzalo Higuain and Kaka, created little in front of a near full house.

Alcorcon operate on a budget of just more than one million euros ($1.50 million), about 400 times smaller than Real's.

"Beating Real Madrid is a dream come true and there is a nice party going on right now in the dressingroom. I think we deserve it," said coach Juan Antonio Anquela. "The players made an incredible effort and I want to thank them publicly for that."

The visitors were disciplined and organized and grew in confidence the longer Real labored.

The hosts threatened briefly at the start of the second half, when they hit the crossbar, but as the chances dried up disgruntled fans started whistling the players and chanting for coach Pellegrini to go.

Real substitute Rafael van der Vaart scored from outside the area with nine minutes left and Higuain hit the bar but by then fans were streaming out of the Bernabeu.

The supporters remained cheered Alcorcon's every touch and gave them a standing ovation at the finish.

"We can't say we didn't try but it's clear we didn't achieve our objective," Real director general Jorge Valdano said.

"But I say again, we have absolute confidence in the coach, the same as we did before the game."

It is the second year in a row Real have been humbled by a Segunda B side in the Cup after Real Union beat them at the same stage last season.

Lower league

Other top-flight sides to lose to lower league opposition were Tenerife, who fell 3-1 on aggregate to second division Celta Vigo and Sporting Gijon who lost a penalty shootout against second division Recreativo Huelva.

Holders Barcelona, Sevilla and Atletico Madrid swept aside Segunda B opponents.

Barca put five past Cultural Leonesa on the night to win 7-0 on aggregate, with Bojan Krkic's double opening the floodgates at the Nou Camp.

Argentina midfielder Maxi Rodriguez netted four goals as Atletico completed an 8-0 aggregate rout of Marbella and Sevilla substitute Jose Carlos bagged two as they beat Atletico Ciudad 9-3 on aggregate.

Ten-man Valencia hung on to draw 2-2 at home against Segunda B side Alcoyano to go through 3-2 overall and Villarreal edged past third-tier Puertollano 2-1 on aggregate thanks to a late goal from Italy striker Giuseppe Rossi.

Deportivo Coruna, Malaga and Osasuna also made the last 16.

Reuters