League

Los Ticos
Spectators: 7501 (Terracing: 5626, Seating: 1725, VIP seats: 150) Costa Rica national FC's Tuto Duran started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. Luis Carballo showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Napoleon Esquivel, who was totally free with the ball in the 3rd minute. Tuto Duran fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 7th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Johnny Leon having to interfere. Luis Carballo took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Nelson Mendez, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. An unexpectedly hard shot by Nelson Mendez in the 11th minute of play forced Costa Rica national FC's goalkeeper Luis Carballo to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Michael Hernandez's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 12thth minute, Johnny Leon skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. Luis Carballo showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Napoleon Esquivel, who was totally free with the ball in the 14th minute. Tuto Duran received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 15th minute. Johnny Leon tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Costa Rica national FC's Minor Porras was standing unmarked in front of the goal when he, in the 18th play minute, got the ball and easily drilled it into the goal. 22 minutes into the match, Limon's goalkeeper Johnny Leon had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Guido Matamoros. The nice shot from Minor Porras in the 23rdth minute just in front of the goal should have ended in point on the board, but Johnny Leon had a great feel for the game and superbly saved the ball from getting in by the left post. Tuto Duran's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Johnny Leon read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 24th minute of play. Napoleon Esquivel sent away a hard shot on goal in the 27th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After 28 played minutes Costa Rica national FC got a freekick which was hit by Manrique Romero. In the 29th minute of the match Felipe Alpizar sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Luis Carballo skillfully saved the ball. Minor Porras fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 34th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Johnny Leon having to interfere. Guido Matamoros recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 35th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After a rather tough play, Limon's Olger Millot got a free kick in the 38th minute. In the 38th minute of the match Jan-Joost Rits sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Johnny Leon skillfully saved the ball. Tuto Duran struck a weak shot in the 42nd minute. Johnny Leon didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Costa Rica national FC. With a little luck, Limon's Johnny Leon got control of the ball when Minor Porras tried to sneak it across the goal line. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 1-0.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Nelson Mendez made a kick off. Guido Matamoros fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 53rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Johnny Leon having to interfere. Olger Millot's late challenge caught a Costa Rica national FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Olger Millot helped the player get up and apologised. When Costa Rica national FC's Minor Porras in the 57th minute got a chance for a shot 57th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Limon's goalie prevented a goal. After having played for 60 minutes, Guido Matamoros managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Costa Rica national FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Guido Matamoros was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. 64 minutes into the match, Costa Rica national FC's goal looked a bit too open when Nelson Mendez came free, but Luis Carballo reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 65th minute, Anacleto Lankaster hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 68 minutes into the match, Napoleon Esquivel dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Luis Carballo, 1-1. Luis Carballo showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Nelson Mendez, who was totally free with the ball in the 77th minute. In the 78th minute, Napoleon Esquivel left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Limon fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 1-3. Luis Carballo made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Nelson Mendez in the 84th minute of play. The audience was convinced that Tuto Duran's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Johnny Leon was relentless in the 85th minute of the game. If Guido Matamoros had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 87th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Johnny Leon made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Minor Porras in the 89th minute of play. After a rather tough play, Limon's Olger Millot got a free kick in the 94th minute. The referee blew the final whistle, and the away crowd roared, having watched Limon eke out a victory against a very well matched opponent.