Teerasil delighted with his first goal for Almeria
Star striker Teerasil Dangda is content with his first goal for Almeria, which helped the La Liga club prevail in a seven-goal thriller against Real Betis in Spain's King Cup's last-16 first-leg match on Friday.
On a season-long loan from Thai Premier League club Muangthong United since June, the 26-year-old Teerasil, who was omitted from the Thai national side competing in the ongoing Asean Championship, endured a tough start to life in Spain’s top-flight division.
After making a few cameo appearances as a substitute at the start of the season, the striker then found opportunity hard to come by, even struggling to get a spot on the bench in recent times.
Teerasil got his big break when handed his first start when Almeria visited Betis, who were relegated from La Liga last season. He grabbed the chance with both hands by scoring his side’s second goal in the 4-3 win in Seville.
“I’m glad [about scoring]. I had to wait for my chance, and when it came I needed to do my best. I did do it so I’m happy,” said Teerasil, who opened his account for Almeria with a 5th-minute effort after being put through on goal.
“I thought it was the moment after being sent clear towards goal.”
He latched onto Ivan Sanchez’s through ball before calmly stroking the ball past the advancing keeper.
Despite finally scoring his first goal in Spain, Teerasil – who endured an ill-fated brief stint at English Premier League club Manchester City during Thaksin Shinawatra’s reign as the club owner – knows he still has a lot of work to do if he wants to play regularly.
“I have to get back to work. It’s [the King’s Cup] different from playing in a league game,” he said. “It’s not easy to break into the team.
“But I will do all I can whenever I get an opportunity. If the chance does come [again], I would give my utmost. If it doesn’t, I will wait. It’s fair for me.”
Teerasil believes his form against Betis dropped off after the interval but he was generally satisfied with his display.
“I don’t know why [I became anonymous in the second half],” he said. “We need to find out why it happened.
“I’m aware it was different [his form in each half]. We have to look at it to try and correct what was wrong. “I’m quite pleased with my performance. I would not like to rate it but I’m happy with both the goal and my contribution to the team.”
Teerasil’s goal came on the day when Thailand celebrated His Majesty the King’s birthday, which was also the Father’s Day.
He is grateful for his father’s continual support. “I would like to thank my Dad. He and my mother have always been there for me. I think I’m lucky that I was born in this family,” he said.
Real sign Mallorca starlet Asensio
Real Madrid confirmed the signing of highly-promising teenage midfielder Marco Asensio from Mallorca on a six-year deal.
“Real Madrid CF and RCD Mallorca have reached an agreement for the transfer of Marco Asensio, who will join our club for six seasons,” the European champions announced on their website.
But they added that Asensio would stay with second-tier Mallorca for the remainder of this season.
Mallorca said the agreement was “beneficial for both parties and for the player himself” and that there was a possibility that the loan could be extended beyond the summer.
The 18-year-old made his first-team debut for Mallorca last season and was named player of the month in Spain’s second division in October.
Eligible to play for the Netherlands through his Dutch-born mother, Asensio is a Spanish youth international.
Press reports in Spain indicated that Real beat several leading clubs, including Barcelona, to his signature, and that the transfer fee was in the region of 3.9 million euros.
