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RYAN ABSENT FOR BOURNEMOUTH DEFEAT
Australia international Mat Ryan was a major absentee for Spanish La Liga outfit Real Sociedadduring their pre-season friendly win over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Australia shot stopper was not in the Real Sociedad squad for the game against the home team who are newly promoted to the Premier League.
The Cherries secured Premier League football by finishing second in the English Championship last season. In addition to Bournemouth, Fulham and Nottingham Forest have also been promoted to the Premier League. Fulham won the Championship, while Nottingham Forest defeated Huddersfield Town 1-0 during the Championship playoff final courtesy the first half own goal from Levi Colwill who was on loan at the Terriers from West London giants Chelsea.
Without Australia goalkeeper Ryan, Real Sociedad were able to record an impressive 2-1 win over the Scott Parker-led Bournemouth team.
Real Sociedad took just eight minutes for the first goal of the game thanks to Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino. His strike gave the Basque club a slim advantage at the end of the first 45 minutes. Eleven minutes into the second half, Igor Zubeldia doubled the advantage for the Spaniards to leave Bournemouth with a huge mountain to climb. Junior Stanislas pulled one back for Bournemouth nine minutes from time, but they were unable to salvage a draw from the game thus falling to their third pre-season defeat this summer.
Bournemouth manager Parker has his work cut out if he wants to keep the Cherries in the Premier League as evident in pre-season. They are one of the favourites to suffer relegation from the Premier League in the new season. Bournemouth will start their Premier League campaign with an home game with Aston Villa next week Saturday. The new Premier League season starts on Friday with the London Derby clash between hosts Crystal Palace and Arsenal.