MIAMI, Florida – For the third time in this 2023 Concacaf Central American Cup, Costa Rican side Herediano and Comunicaciones of Guatemala will meet, as the two familiar foes face off in the second leg of the quarterfinals on Wednesday night at the Estadio Jose Rafael Fello Meza in Cartago, Costa Rica.
A 0-0 draw in their first leg meeting last week in Guatemala City sets up a wide-open second leg, with a spot in the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup to be awarded to the victors.
It was an intense, physical initial 90 minutes between the two sides, much like their group stage finale during which Herediano rallied for a 2-1 away win at Comunicaciones.
Herediano have two wins in two all-time matches at home against Comunicaciones in Concacaf competition and will be aiming for a third.
The Ticos have a dizzying array of talent from which to draw, including veteran Mexican attacker Jesus Godinez, who has two goals and leads the team in shots with 15. DF Fernan Faerron is another key piece and had three ball recoveries in the first leg, while another experienced midfielder, Yeltsin Tejeda, completed 82 passes last week.
Having not conceded at home, Comunicaciones know that a scoring draw will be enough to seal their passage through to the semifinals, and no doubt players like Juan Anangono, Antonio Lopez and Jorman Aguilar will be eager to help the Cremas find the back of the net first.
Anangono finished as the Top Scorer in the 2021 Concacaf League with six goals, while Antonio Lopez has a goal and four assists in the current tournament. Aguilar is a threat as well, evidenced by his two goals and an assist.
Two teams that are well-acquainted with each other will tangle one final time in this Central American Cup, with the stakes bigger than ever.
MATCH OFFICIALS CS Herediano (CRC) vs Comunicaciones FC (GUA)
REF: SELVIN BROWN (Honduras)
AR1: CHRISTIAN RAMIREZ (Honduras)
AR2: WALTER LOPEZ (Honduras)
4TH: RAUL CASTRO (Honduras)