The first victory of Luis Carrión's era in preseason came with a 2-1 win over Al Shabab from Saudi Arabia on Friday at Estadio Los Cuartos in La Orotava. Las Palmas dominated with a more incisive and vertical style of play.
Álex Muñoz opened the scoring just before half-time, with Januzaj extending the lead early in the second half. The margin could have been greater, with Jaime Mata and Iván Cédric both hitting the post. Yannick Carrasco pulled one back for the Saudis five minutes from the end. The friendly showcased the early performances of Januzaj and Oli McBurnie in Las Palmas colors.
The first chances of the game went to Las Palmas. Pejiño nearly scored in the 10th minute after receiving a pass from Marvin Park during a counter-attack, but his shot was deflected by a defender, preventing further trouble for goalkeeper Kim.
The Saudi team started with high possession and aggressive pressing. Luis Carrión’s players adjusted, focusing on quick, vertical play rather than holding the ball.
A setback occurred when Pejiño had to be substituted after 25 minutes due to an injury to his left thigh. Carrión brought on Januzaj to replace him.
Marvin Park made the most significant advances in the first half, but his fast and incisive plays lacked a finisher. The opening goal came from left-back Álex Muñoz, who controlled a lofted pass from Javi Muñoz and fired a cross-shot that Kim couldn't reach.
Januzaj scored the second goal immediately after the break, showing off his acrobatic finish from Benito's play. Las Palmas continued to press for more, with Jaime Mata hitting the crossbar in the 62nd minute after a great interplay with Januzaj and Park.
The woodwork was hit again in the 77th minute, this time by Iván Cédric during a counter-attack with Sandro.
Five minutes before the end, Carrasco scored for Al Shabab.
Line-ups:
Las Palmas: Cillessen, Marvin Park, Alex Suárez, Mika Mármol, Alex Muñoz, Javi Muñoz, Kirian, Pejiño, Moleiro, Manu Fuster, Jaime Mata
Substitutions:
● 25’ Januzaj for Pejiño (injured)
● 46’ Benito and Sinkgraven for Alex Muñoz and Manu Fuster
● 69’ McBurnie, Sandro, Cédric, Loiodice, Juanma Herzog, Enrique Clemente, Iván Gil, Bassinga, and Valentín
Bench: Horkas (gk), Marc Cardona, Benito, Loiodice, Enrique Clemente, Sandro, Iván Gil, Sinkgraven, Iván Cédric, Abou Bassinga
Al Shabab: Kim, Alharbi, Nader, Alsbyani, Nawaf, Majed, Cuellar, Guanca, Allah, Camara, Diallo
Bench: Absi, Alssadi, Ali, Aloaibi, Aljhorayeff, Nasser, Hurboush, Fahad, Olwani, Abdullah, Carrasco
Goals: 1-0, 45’ Álex Muñoz; 2-0, 46’ Januzaj; 2-1, 85’ Carrasco.
Referee: Daniel Clemente Manrique, assisted by Bruno Rodríguez and Airam Martín.
