Alajuelense overcome Landin goal for draw at Guastatoya

MIAMI, Florida – Reigning Scotiabank Concacaf League champions Liga Deportiva Alajuelense of Costa Rica overcame a 1-0 deficit on a goal from FW Luis Landin to earn a 1-1 draw with Guastatoya of Guatemala in the first leg of the 2021 SCL on Tuesday night at the Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores in Guatemala City.

The Ticos started strong and Guastatoya GK Adrian de Lemos was called on to make a big save from an Alajuelense header in the 9’.

But Guastatoya would soon begin to carve out chances of their own and 2007 Concacaf Champions Cup winner Landin would find a breakthrough in the 27’ for the hosts. 

A header off a corner kick was touched away by Alajuelense GK Leonel Moreira, but the Mexican veteran Landin was ready to pounce and fire into goal for a 1-0 lead.

Alajuelense needed a response and Adrian Martinez delivered with a shot from distance that glanced off the foot of a Guastatoya defender before spinning onto the underside of the crossbar, hitting De Lemos and bouncing in for the own goal to make it 1-1 in the 43’.

The momentum stayed with Alajuelense in the second half and an Aaron Suarez long-range effort in the 57’ that went wide, followed by a hard hit from Carlos Mora in the 60’ that thumped off the post proved to be the best chances for a winner in a match that ended with either side unable to find a second score.