MIAMI, Florida – The second week of the 2023 Concacaf Central American Cup comes to a close on Thursday with a pair of games involving former Concacaf champions Deportivo Saprissa of Costa Rica and Guatemalan giants Comunicaciones.
The night starts with three-time Concacaf champions Saprissa taking on Jocoro of El Salvador at the Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano in San Pedro Sula, Honduras in Group A.
Deportivo Saprissa were 1-0 winners over fellow Costa Rican club Cartagines to start the tournament and now take on a Jocoro side that suffered a 4-1 loss to Coban Imperial.
Javon East was the hero for Saprissa and will look to do the same against the Salvadorans and add to his total of four goals in 11 Concacaf games. Veteran MF David Guzman was also impressive, registering seven shots in his 30th international match.
Despite their opening defeat, Jocoro did have some positive moments in their first ever Concacaf match, including Luis Acuna’s second half penalty conversion.
Not only did Acuna supply the goal, but he led his team in shots (3), passes (65) and was among the tournament leaders in ball recoveries (5) during the first week of action.
Referees Jocoro FC (SLV) vs Deportivo Saprissa (CRC)
REF: OLIVER VERGARA (Panama)
AR1: ALEJANDRO CAMARENA (Panama)
AR2: RONALD BRUÑA (Panama)
4TH: NELSON SALGADO (Honduras)
Diriangen FC vs Comunicaciones
The nightcap will see 1978 Concacaf champions Comunicaciones aiming for a second straight win in Group C against Diriangen of Nicaragua at the Estadio Cacique Diriangen in Diriamba, Nicaragua.
Comunicaciones rolled to a 3-1 win over Real Espana of Honduras to open the tournament. Jorge Aparicio, Antonio Lopez and Erik Gonzalez supplied the goals, while 2021 Concacaf League Golden Ball and Golden Boot winner Juan Anangono was a menace in attack the whole night.
Diriangen had a good performance at home in their opener, a 1-1 draw against Herediano. Luis Copete scored the goal for the Pinoleros, but it was the play of former Motagua man Matias Galvaliz that stood out. Galvaliz had the assist on the Copete goal and controlled much of the tempo on the night for Diriangen.
Referees Diriangen FC (NCA) vs Comunicaciones FC (GUA)
REF: ADONAI ESCOBEDO (Mexico)
AR1: MARCO BISGUERRA (Mexico)
AR2: PABLO HERNANDEZ (Mexico)
4TH: DANIEL QUINTERO (Mexico)
