Ryan keeps clean sheet as Neville gets first win as Valencia coach

Australia goalkeeper Mat Ryan kept a clean sheet as Valencia progressed in the Copa Del Rey by beating lower league side Barakaldo 2-0 (5-1 on aggregate) in Gary Neville's first win as a professional coach.

Valencia v Barakaldo - Copa del Rey: Round of 32

VALENCIA, SPAIN - DECEMBER 16: Gary Neville manager of Valencia CF poses prior to the Copa del Rey Round of 32 match between Valencia CF and Barakaldo CF at Estadio Mestalla on December 16, 2015 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images Europe

While it is positive news for the Socceroos number 1, it seems to confirm the fact that for now he is viewed as second choice, behind Jaume Doménech, under Neville. 

Ryan could fall back to third in the pecking order when Diego Alves returns from a knee injury. The Brazilian returned to training last week.
This morning it was Santi Mina's header that put Valencia ahead after eight minutes and Alvaro Negredo slotted home having been played in by Andre Gomes after 31 minutes.
For Neville it marks his first victory after losing to Lyon in the Champions League and drawing with Eibar in La Liga.

Elsewhere, mid-table Segunda Division outfit Mirandes completed the biggest shock of the evening, winning 1-0 at Malaga to secure a 3-1 win overall.

Lago Junior sealed the tie 17 minutes from time as he got on the end of Alex Garcia's cross, ensuring Malaga's feel-good factor from their much-needed weekend win over Rayo Vallecano was short-lived.

Rayo were beaten once more on the night, 3-1 at Getafe, but Lass Bangoura's 52nd-minute goal when they were 3-0 down proved crucial as Paco Jemez's men progressed on away goals with the aggregate outcome 3-3.





Of the Segunda sides eying an upset on Wednesday, Ponferradina appeared best placed as they took a 3-0 lead to Eibar.

But Borja Baston put the Liga team ahead in first-half stoppage time and goals from substitutes Sergi Enrich and Simone Verdi levelled the tie before a penalty from Mikel Arruabarrena completed a stunning 4-0 comeback win for the hosts.

Athletic Bilbao were the big winners on the night, slamming six goals past Linense for an 8-0 aggregate triumph, while Real Sociedad lost 3-2 overall to Las Palmas after a 1-1 draw at the Anoeta.





The scheduled second leg of Real Madrid against Cadiz did not take place after the Liga giants were expelled from the competition for fielding the ineligible Denis Cheryshev – a goalscorer in their initial 3-1 win. 


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2 min read
Published 17 December 2015 10:42am
Updated 17 December 2015 12:30pm
By Nick Stoll

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