SANTA TECLA – Darwin Ceren scored in second half stoppage time to earn Aguila of El Salvador a dramatic 1-0 victory over Nicaraguan side Diriangen in Group C action of the 2023 Concacaf Central American Cup on Thursday night at the Estadio Las Delicias in Santa Tecla.
Aguila now have three points after just two games played, while Diriangen are on one point after three games.
It was a cagey first 45 minutes between the two teams, with the only real good look at goal falling for Aguila’s Duvier Riascos, whose header in the 18’ off a corner kick forced a save from Diriangen GK Alfonso Quesada.
Diriangen worked their way into the contest nicely and had the Aguila defense on its heels at certain points during the first half and into the second half.
A free kick from veteran Aguila MF Gerson Mayen nearly interrupted any momentum gathered by Diriangen, as the ball almost slipped through the hands of Quesada.
Aguila started to take control over the affair as the second stanza wore on, but finding a way through the Diriangen defense proved a hurdle too many.
It looked like a Dixon Rivas volley for Aguila that sailed over the crossbar in the 80’ would serve as the final chance, but Ceren had other ideas, thanks in large part to a perfectly flighted pass from Herberth Diaz that Ceren controlled between two defenders and beat Quesada for the winning score.
