MIAMI, Florida – The top spot in Group D of the 2023 Concacaf Central American Cup will be at stake on Thursday night when Costa Rican club Alajuelense host Motagua of Honduras at the Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto in Alajuela, Costa Rica.
It will serve as the final match of the tournament’s group stage and it should be an exciting one. Both teams are already through to the next round, but the opportunity to claim the top spot is presented with a win.
Both teams sit on nine points, but with a three-goal advantage on goal difference, Motagua currently occupy first place, meaning the visiting Hondurans only require a draw to finish atop the group, while the Ticos must win in order to clinch first place.
Alajuelense got a big lift in their last outing from Alexander Lopez, who scored in second half stoppage time in a 1-0 win at Sporting San Miguelito. Veteran MF Celso Borges has been important as ever, completing 92 of 100 passes last week, making him the leader in passes completed in the tournament with 250.
Not only have Motagua won all three of their matches, but they have registered a clean sheet in each thanks to the excellent work of their back line. Up top, Yeison Mejia has been pivotal with three goals and an assist, while Agustin Auzmendi has three goals as well.
Match Officials LD Alajuelense (CRC) vs FC Motagua (HON)
REF: IVAN BARTON (El Salvador)
AR1: DAVID MORAN (El Salvador)
AR2: JUAN FRANCISCO ZUMBA (El Salvador)
4TH: JAIME HERRERA (El Salvador)
Olancho FC vs Sporting San Miguelito
The first game of the night in Group D will provide a chance for either Panama’s Sporting San Miguelito or Olancho of Honduras to finish the tournament with two wins.
Both clubs sit on three points heading into the contest with a win each. Despite being eliminated from advancing to the next round, no doubt they will want to finish strong at the Estadio Nacional Chelato Ucles in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
Olancho will look to Oscar Almendarez and Yostin Obando for attacking help. Almendarez had a goal and an assist in last week’s 3-2 win versus Verdes, while Obando, the son of former Honduras National Team star Cesar Obando, also scored against Verdes.
Meanwhile, experienced striker Gabriel Torres will likely lead the line for Sporting San Miguelito. Torres has a goal in the tournament, as does Alexis Corpas, who leads the team in shots with four.
Match Officials Olancho FC (HON) vs Sporting San Miguelito (PAN)
REF: WALTER LOPEZ (Guatemala)
AR1: KEYTZEL CORRALES (Nicaragua)
AR2: ENMANUEL AGUIRRE (Nicaragua)
4TH: SERGIO REYNA (Guatemala)
