SAN PEDRO SULA – The fourth week of the 2023 Concacaf Central American Cup wrapped up with a 0-0 draw between Real Espana of Honduras and Nicaraguan side Diriangen in Group C play on Thursday night at the Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.
Diriangen’s campaign in the tournament has come to an end with two points from four matches, while Real Espana have one point after three games and will look to end on a high note next week versus Aguila of El Salvador.
Real Espana were on the front foot throughout the first 45 minutes, beginning with a Daniel Carter right-footed volley over the crossbar with a defender draped all over him.
Diriangen did produce a save out of Real Espana GK Michael Perello, but control belonged to the home side and Jhow Benavidez was close to scoring the game’s first goal in the 24’ on a swerving free kick that was punched away by Diriangen GK Alfonso Quesada.
Quesada would come up with another huge save in the 60’ by denying Carlos Mejia right on the doorstep, shutting down a volley with his body at the near post.
In the end, the night belonged to the two shot-stoppers, with Quesada registering five saves, while Perello made five saves himself, with each earning their first clean sheet of the tournament.
