Amurrio Returns to Tercera Federación After Four Seasons

The team from Valle de Ayala secured a narrow victory against their direct rival, Iru-Bat, with three matches remaining in the championship.

Generic image of a soccer ball on grass, with a blurred goal net in the background.
IA

Generic image of a soccer ball on grass, with a blurred goal net in the background.

The Amurrio football team has achieved promotion to Tercera Federación with three matches left in the season, after defeating their direct rival, Iru-Bat, by a score of 0-1.

After four seasons, the squad from Valle de Ayala returns to the fifth tier of national football. A goal by Xabi Hernández in stoppage time propelled the Basarte side to a new celebration, as only a victory against the second-placed team would secure their promotion.
The match was approached with some caution, knowing that the advantage over the Los Astrónomos team provided some leeway to enjoy the moment without it being the last opportunity. However, the opponent barely troubled them in the first half. In fact, the only two clear chances in that period came from the players coached by Antton Vivanco and Iker Mansilla.
After the break, the visiting team pushed harder for the win, despite Iru-Bat having a great opportunity to take the lead. Just when it seemed the match would end with the same score it began, Xabi Hernández's goal in the dying moments ignited euphoria among the Amurrio supporters.
The technical duo, entrusted by the board with the sports project at the start of the season, has delivered beyond expectations. Relying on a young squad, largely composed of homegrown players, they have shown tremendous consistency throughout the championship. They are the team with the fewest losses, five so far, and once the coaching pair's playing philosophy was established, the Ayaleses began to believe in their chances of success.