Alexander Larin (pictured) scored in Alianza's win over host Sonsonate in the Salvadoran semifinal, second on December 11, 2016. (Photo courtesy of Mexsport)
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador – Alianza and Santa Tecla will battle for the Salvadoran title on December 18, when they meet in the 2016 Apertura final at the Estadio Cuscatlan, the Primera División de Fútbol Profesional de El Salvador announced Monday night.
The eventual champion will unseat Dragon, which didn’t secure a post-season berth.
Alianza earned the opportunity to capture a second title in the last three Salvadoran seasons after overcoming Sonsonate 4-0 on aggregate in their semifinal series. The Albos won the second leg Sunday by the same score on the road thanks to a three-goal performance by Rodolfo Zelaya and Alexander Larin’s converted penalty kick.
Santa Tecla fell 2-0 in the second leg of its semifinal against host Aguila, also on Sunday, but prevailed 4-3 on aggregate on the strength of a 4-1 win at home in the opener.
The Alianza-Santa Tecla winner will qualify for the 2017/18 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League.
