Belmopan, Belize – Costa Rican side Alajuelense stayed perfect in the 2023 Concacaf Central American Cup with a 3-0 victory over Verdes of Belize on Tuesday evening at the FFB Stadium in Belmopan, Belize.
The Ticos now have two wins from two matches in Group D, while outscoring opponents 4-0.
Verdes’ low defensive block would prove tough for Alajuelense to try to break down initially. The hosts were doing a good job keeping the visiting Costa Ricans at bay, but there was nothing they could do to prevent Michael Barrantes from breaking the deadlock in the 41’.
The veteran MF collected a ball outside the area and unleashed a swerving left-footed shot that went blazing into the top right corner of net to hand Alajuelense a 1-0 advantage.
Alajuelense stayed persistent to open the second half and after a handful of chances against Verdes GK Nahuel Paz, Freddy Gondola finally broke through with a left-footed effort to double the margin to 2-0 in the 54’.
Verdes hung tough, though, and came within a whisker of pulling a goal back when Michael Palacios got on the end of a cross with his toe, but his steered effort rang off the post in the 74’.
That was followed minutes later by Alajuelense GK Miguel Aju making a save from point-blank range to deny Krisean Lopez.
Alajuelense survived the Verdes surge and countered with a late goal to nail down the three points, as Aaron Suarez stabbed home a deep cross in the 88’ to complete the 3-0 scoreline.
