League

Esterillos
Spectators: 6782 (Terracing: 5000, Seating: 1782, VIP seats: 0) Turrialba's Oscar Blen 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. Oscar Blen sent away a hard shot on goal in the 10th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Greivin Chinchilla received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 13th minute. Otto Rivera tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Franklin Barrantes stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Oscar Blen's shot from short distance in the 16th minute. 20 minutes into the match, Turrialba's Oscar Blen sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Franklin Barrantes narrowly saved just below the crossbar. After 20 played minutes Esterillos got a freekick which was hit by Fabio Barahona. Benito Gaitan received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 24th minute. Franklin Barrantes tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Greivin Chinchilla fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 26th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Otto Rivera having to interfere. The corner led Turrialba's Celso Carvajal to fire away a dangerous shot which Franklin Barrantes despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. In the 37th match minute, Turrialba was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Celso Carvajal to maneuver through the defense. In the 38th minute Greivin Chinchilla shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Otto Rivera saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Greivin Chinchilla made a kick off. When Abel Montoya fell near the penalty area in the 58th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Turrialba's protests and gave Abel Montoya a yellow card for diving instead. The supporters of Esterillos booed when Turrialba was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 58 match minutes in a wonderful position. Abel Montoya didn't get a good kick on the ball. If Benito Gaitan had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 61st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Tulio Blen sent away a hard shot on goal in the 63rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After a rather tough play, Turrialba's Abel Montoya got a free kick in the 67th minute. Emilio Carvajal struck a weak shot in the 68th minute. Otto Rivera didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Esterillos. After 72 minutes, Macho Varela mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Turrialba and the Esterillos players grew even worse after the yellow card. The supporters of Esterillos booed when Turrialba was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 72 match minutes in a wonderful position. Macho Varela didn't get a good kick on the ball. 73 minutes into the game, Esterillos's Greivin Chinchilla nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Otto Rivera made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-0. Otto Rivera showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Greivin Chinchilla, who was totally free with the ball in the 78th minute. Esterillos's Tulio Blen got a good chance for a goal in the 83rd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Franklin Barrantes showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Oscar Blen in the 89th minute of the match. The crowd rose to their feet and cheered when the referee blew the final whistle. Esterillos had won after a very even match.