Isidro Metapan celebrates after capturing the 2014 Salvadoran Clausura title on May 25, 2014. (Photo courtesy of the Primera División de Fútbol de El Salvador)
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador – Isidro Metapan captured the 2014 Salvadoran Clausura championship on Sunday, outlasting Dragon 6-5 on penalty kicks after their single-game final ended in a goalless draw at the Estadio Cuscatlan..
It is the Jaguares’ ninth title and its third back-to-back championship, since its founding in 2000.
The result ensured a place in the 2014-15 CONCACAF Champions League (CCL) for FAS, which qualified by virtue of being the runner-up that had the most combined points from the 2013 Apertura and 2014 Clausura regular seasons. A Dragon victory over Metapan would have seen it progress as one of the two champions.
The final was a hard-fought affair between two sides that created chances, but were thwarted by in-form goalkeepers.
Dragon’s quick-reacting Manuel Gonzalez was forced off his line on several occasions to stop shots, while Isidro Metapan’s Henry Hernandez was very decisive and well positioned.
Perhaps the best scoring chance of the match came in the 106th minute extra time, when Metapan striker Hector Ramos had ball at his feet, only to shoot high from 11-yards out.
In penalty kicks, Hernandez stopping two shots, while Francisco Alvarez converted the title clincher.
“I don’t believe in luck or in fortune,” said Isidro Metapan head coach Jorge Rodriguez, whose team will participate in its seventh CCL later this year. “I believe in the work of my players and the spirit and sacrifice that they showed against a dignified opponent and that they fought all over the field.”
