Valencia CF Footballers' Association win IV DANA Charity Match against Atlético Puertollano (0-1)

A team representing the Valencia CF Footballers’ Association claimed a 0-1 victory on Sunday 15 June against Atlético Puertollano's veterans. Javi Soler scored the only goal of the match with the final play of the first half.

Photo: Luis Miguel Becerra

Under the slogan “There’s still a lot to do” the veterans of Club Atlético organised this charity match at the magnificent Estadio Ciudad de Puertollano in support of families affected by the devastating DANA floods that hit parts of the province of Valencia and the town of Letur on 29 October. The mayor of Puertollano, Miguel Ángel Ruiz, was in attendance.

The Valencia CF Legends side, featuring Fernando Giner (father and son), Juan Sánchez, Nando, Diego Alegre and Javi Selvas, were clearly dominant and created the best chances. However, the intense heat and lack of clinical finishing kept the match close.

Photo: Luis Miguel Becerra

In fact, it was the home side who had the first major opportunity to score, but Minaya missed a penalty awarded for a handball. Goalkeeper José Luis guessed correctly and made the save.

Led by Alberto Rivera—formerly of Real Madrid and Levante UD—and fellow ex-granota Fernando Usero, Atlético Puertollano held firm in the opening stages. But just before the break, Javi Soler made it 0-1 with a delightful chip to reward Valencia CF’s superior play. Moments earlier, Ferran Giner had struck the woodwork.

Photo: Luis Miguel Becerra

In the second half, Juan Sánchez was denied on multiple occasions by the home keeper and the post, preventing a more comfortable win. Nevertheless, the most important outcome was the strong turnout of over a thousand fans, whose donations will support families still struggling to return to normalcy eight months after the disaster.

The Atlético Puertollano veterans once again showed their commitment to social causes, following previous charity matches against Albacete and Spain Legends, and last year’s triangular fixture with Barcelona and Athletic Club—all held in support of Asociación Incluye-Tea.

Photo: Luis Miguel Becerra

Donations from the Footballers’ Association via the FFCV

As in previous DANA charity matches in Torrent, Cheste and Villarrobledo, all proceeds from this fixture organised by the Valencia CF Footballers’ Association will go directly to the Valencian Football Federation (FFCV), which opened a dedicated donation line to support those affected by the floods.

Donations can be made via Banc Sabadell account ES53 0081 0145 0900 0462 2469 or BIZUM 10763 (in the “donate to NGO” section). All contributions will go entirely towards the recovery of football and futsal across the Comunitat Valenciana.

The Association has already donated over €15,000 through these initiatives, as reported on the FFCV’s official website.

Text: Valencia CF Footballers’ Association