SANTIAGO DE LOS CABALLEROS, Dominican Republic – Cibao FC took a 3-2 victory against Real Hope FA in the first leg of their semifinal series in the 2024 Concacaf Caribbean Cup on Wednesday at Campo y Pista PUCMM in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic.
Jean López opened the scoring in the 4' by striking a header off a corner kick opportunity to place Cibao in the lead.
Angelo Exilus tied the encounter in the 11' with a conversion from a penalty kick attempt.
Juan Díaz struck a powerful shot from midfield with his left foot to place Cibao back in the lead in the 49'.
Exilus equalized again for Real Hope in the 83’, connecting with a header inside the box on a cross from Steeve Mondestin.
A foul inside the box from Huguens Michel in the 87’ resulted in a penalty kick attempt for Cibao FC. Michel received a second yellow, leaving Real Hope with ten players for the remainder of the match.
Rivaldo Correa converted from the penalty spot in the 90'+1 to regain the lead for Cibao and secure the first leg victory. Correa improved his tally to four to enter a three-way tie for second place in the scoring table.
Exilus jumped into the lead in the top scorer race with his brace, increasing his total to five goals in the tournament.
The two clubs will meet in the second leg on October 31 at Cibao FC Stadium in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic. The winner on aggregate will advance to the Caribbean Cup Final and clinch a berth in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup.
