MIAMI, Florida – For the second time in this 2023 Concacaf Central American Cup, Guatemalan giants Comunicaciones will meet Herediano of Costa Rica, but this time in the first leg of the quarterfinals on Wednesday night at the Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores in Guatemala City, Guatemala.
These two sides emerged out of Group C as the top two teams, with Herediano winning the group with 10 points and Comunicaciones right behind with nine points.
They met on the final matchday and it was a thriller, as Herediano rallied from a goal down to win 2-1 in Guatemala City on goals from 17-year-old Andy Rojas and Darryl Araya.
Overall, this will be the sixth contest between the two clubs. Herediano collected a pair of 2-1 wins in 1971, while in the group stage of the 2011-12 Concacaf Champions Cup, they split a pair of games, with Comunicaciones taking a 2-0 final in Guatemala and Herediano returning the favor in a 4-1 win in Costa Rica.
Each club can also look to their recent Concacaf history for inspiration. Herediano lifted the 2018 Concacaf League, while Comunicaciones achieved that feat three years later in 2021.
Comunicaciones have a plethora of weapons to choose from in attack. Antonio Lopez has a goal and a tournament-leading four assists, Jose Corena, Jorge Aparicio and Jorman Aguilar all have two goals each, while 2021 Concacaf League Top Scorer and Best Player Juan Anangono is on the hunt for his first goal.
Herediano can counter with a lot of offensive talent as well. Jesus Godinez and Alejandro Bran each had two goals in the group stage, Haxzel Quiros tallied two assists and Araya was seemingly everywhere with a goal, seven ball recoveries and 10 fouls drawn.
Match Officials Comunicaciones FC (GUA) vs CS Herediano (CRC)
REF: FILIBERTO MARTINEZ (El Salvador)
AR1: JUAN FRANCISCO ZUMBA (El Salvador)
AR2: CARLOS VARGAS (El Salvador)
4TH: ISMAEL CORNEJO (El Salvador)
