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FERNANDO ALVAREZ
Updated
Nobody has to explain to Dani Ponz (Valencia, 1973) how he is excited about King’s Cup. The current coach of Eldense led the tlast season he brilliant journey of the Unionistas of Primera RFEF that eliminated Sporting (Second), Villarreal (First) and made life difficult for Barcelona in the round of 16. Now, as Eldense Second Division coachfaces Valencia with an old acquaintance on the bench. Carlos Corberán (Cheste, 1983) and Dani Ponz They coincided, obtaining the title of coach quite a few years ago. And each one came to the classrooms very different reasons.
TO ponzLevantinist of those who remember having seen Cruyff in the Second Division at the Nou Estadia friend recruited him to be Goalkeeping coach at Torre Levante. I had then 29 years and by chance he remained directing the team and he ended up bitten by the bug of managing a team. Corberan He was clear about it much earlier, in age. With 23 years hung up his gloves -it had been goalkeeper in the lower categories of Valencia– for prepare as a technician.
That’s why They coincided in the coaching course despite the age differencewith an added coincidence. As soccer players, they both saw soccer with that special look that goalkeepers have to analyze the game and the movements. No one stood out to make a career between the sticksbut they have traced – or are in the process – a path like professional soccer coaches.
“I know Carlos [Corberán] for many years -Dani Ponz recalled this week-. I did the coaching course with him and we always care to see what people are doing. He has followed the same line that he had at West Bromwich Albion and what he does is not surprising, because it is what we had identified both in dynamic play, set-piece situations, it is very similar, although I have not had time to work on it at Valencia.”
Many turns before seeing each other’s faces
Since those days of preparation the two have had to giver many turns before facing. Dani Ponz has traveled the regional categories of the Valencian Community, “the barrage” as he himself has sometimes referred to, before giving the jump to Unionists in First RFEF. During that time, 20 years, which is said to be soon, he combined his work as Physical Education teacher at a school in Alginet. It was when they called him from Salamanca that he was encouraged to ask for a leave of absence to dedicate himself body and soul to football. After two excellent seasons, this summer he received the call of the Eldensewith whom he is fighting for salvation.
Corberan it was clear from the beginning and it was what encouraged him to leave football as a player. That’s why he entered the Villarreal school, He promoted through the lower ranks, and became Juan Carlos Garrido’s assistant in the First Division. And then he started traveling to take charge of different projects: Saudi Arabia, Cyprus, Greece and England. Until two weeks ago when they called him from Valence to fulfill a dream.
Although for neither team –both are in relegation- the Cup is right now a prioritythe dream for Eldense and the obligation, for Valencia will conclude in one way or another this Tuesday in the New Pepico Amat from Elda. And football will have reunited with two classmates from unexpected way.
