Action from the Honduran Clausura playoff match between Victoria and visiting Real España (right) on April 16, 2014, in La Ceiba. (Photo cortesy of La Prensa)
SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras – The first round of Honduran Clausura playoffs opened on Wednesday with Marathon and Victoria posting first-leg victories at home.
In San Pedro Sula, Marathon defeated Motagua, 2-1, as Amado Guevara’s 78th minute effort from outside the area deflected off teammate Diego Reyes and hit the back of the net.
The host went ahead in the 24th minute, when Kevin Espinoza controlled a diagonal pass with his chest on the left side of the box, took one touch and poked the ball past goalkeeper Sebastian Portigliatti.
Motagua equalized two minutes before the break through Omar Elvir, whose left-footed shot from 13-yards out found the inside of the right post.
It was only Marathon’s third win at home in 10 Clausura matches.
In La Ceiba, a two-goal performance by Fredixon Elvir lifted Victoria to a 2-1 win over defending champion Real España.
Bryan Acosta gave the visitors a 1-0 lead in the 17th minute, firing in from 35 yards off the underneath of the crossbar.
Nine minutes later, Elvir backheaded brilliantly from eight yards off a free kick to knot the score.
The 26-year-old swept home from six-yards in 36th minute to net the game-winner after a cross took a fortunate bounce in the penalty area.
2014 HONDURAN CLAUSURA PLAYOFFS
First Round, Second Leg
Saturday, April 19
San Pedro Sula, Estadio Francisco Morazan
Real España v Victoria
Sunday, April 20
Tegucigalpa, Estadio Tiburcio Carías Andino
Motagua v Marathon
