MADRID — Real Betis drew level on 31 points with fourth-placed Malaga after Ruben Castro and Jorge Molina struck in a 2-1 win at Real Zaragoza in La Liga Friday. Betis continued its fine form away from home with a sixth victory in nine games on the road keeping them fifth in the table with an inferior goal difference to Malaga. Castro fired Betis ahead in the 44th minute at the Romareda when he galloped on to a pass from Nigerian midfielder Nosa Igiebor and finished low past Zaragoza goalkeeper Roberto. Molina doubled the lead 13 minutes into the second half when he made the most of an error by defender Alvaro Gonzalez before Francisco Montanes pulled a goal back for Zaragoza 13 minutes from time. Gonzalez's night went from bad to worse when he was shown a straight red card after the final whistle for verbally abusing the referee. “Away from home we are playing better and starting the year with three points is not a bad thing,” Castro, 31, said in an interview with Spanish broadcaster Marca TV. “There is still a lot of time left in the season and we know it's going to be tough but I think we have a good team, we are doing things well and we'll see if we can keep it up.” Seville-based Betis, which beat champion Real Madrid 1-0 at the end of November, is looking good for a place in Europe next term. It last took part in European competition in 2005-06 when it finished third in its Champions League group behind Liverpool and Chelsea. Betis was relegated in 2008-09 before winning promotion back to Spain's top flight two years later. Mourinho won't attend FIFA awards gala Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho says he won't be attending the FIFA gala Monday where he is a finalist for the coach of the year award. The Portuguese manager said Saturday that “I am not going. I have to work. I have an important Copa del Rey game Wednesday, and I won't attend (the gala).” The other finalists for this year's award are Spain national coach Vicente del Bosque and former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola. Mourinho won the award in its first edition in 2010. He did not attend the gala last year when Guardiola won. On Wednesday, Madrid needs to overcome a 2-1 loss to Celta Vigo in the second leg of their Copa tie. Mourinho hinted he might not necessarily hand keeper Iker Casillas his place back Sunday against Real Sociedad. Mourinho fielded young stand-in Adan for the final pre-winter break match, a 3-2 loss to Malaga last month and Mourinho implied Casillas might be benched again, saying the experience did not have to be a negative one. “Confidence is an important element — but so is competition (for your place). To be in the comfort zone for too long is not good, that goes for any player,” Mourinho told reporters at a press conference, adding he favored some rotation. “The one who plays Sunday will not play (in the Cup) Wednesday and vice-versa. Last week, Casillas vowed to fight to regain his spot, explaining: “I am not a machine. I, too, have to learn from my mistakes.” Asked if he had lost his hunger to win more titles, the Spain captain said: “When I don't have that hope I won't be sitting here.” Despite being 16 points behind leaders Barcelona, Mourinho insists Real must keep plugging away. — Agencies
