Concacaf Champion's Cup: Saprissa 2 Pumas 0


The first leg of the Concacaf Champion's Cup goes to Saprissa at home.

Saprissa are boosted by the home crowd for this first leg. They also have the advantage of playing on their home field, which is covered by artificial turf due to heavy rains. The Concacaf Champions Cup is relatively unknown, especially compared to other confederation club competitions. Pumas, the Mexican champions last season, are better on paper, but it does not show in the initial 15 minutes. Bennet is giving the Mexican team trouble on the right side early. He misses a shot from 20 yards out in the 16th. In the 21st Bolaños, after a nice series of one-touch passes from Saprissa, sends a weak shot in wide, but the Pumas keeper is out of position and unable to keep it from slipping in at the far post. In the 31st, Pumas have a nice long shot by Galindo saved. Two minutes later, Badilla misses a header in the 6-yard box after a great cross to the far post. Saprissa are protecting the ball well and threading passes perfectly. Things get a bit rough in the 35th, with Marioni getting a yellow for Pumas after a foul and some shoving. In the 39th, a nice diagonal ball leads to a Pumas chance, but Saprissa's defense clears. In the 41st minute, the fluid Saprissa attack once again penetrates the Pumas defense, but Bernal saves and Pumas clear the rebound. A Saprissa player is sent sprawling on the play, but it's not a penalty. In the 43rd, off a corner, Badilla outjumps Bernal and heads into the goal off the underside of the crossbar. Bernal inexplicably allowed Badilla to get position on him, and slid in behind him, allowing the goal. I think the Mexican keeper has been at fault in both goals.
At the other end, Saprissa's defense, especially Cordero, is playing well. The home team is a little less in the opening part of the second half, perhaps they are sitting back more. However, Bolaños is having free reign up front for the Costa Rican team. Pumas try to press, showing some success on the left wing but falling just short of really putting the Saprissa goal in danger. In the 63rd, Pumas win a free kick right on the edge of the box, and Lozano hits a brutal curling ball towards the right post, but Saprissa keeper Porras tips it wide. Three minutes later, Pumas win another dangerous free, but waste the opportunity. In the 78th the tide has turned a little towards the home side, and Bolaños gets away from the defense, but Bernal saves bravely down low. One of the Drummond brothers misses an 85th minute bicylce kick in front of the Pumas goal. Saprissa are defending well and managing time professionally as the half winds down. In the 90th, Pumas earn a corner on a fast break down the right, but Marioni heads high. Drummond gets away once again in injury time, but Bernal saves on the one-on-one and the game ends.
It's been a good match, and sets up a good return match in Mexico City, where Pumas must press their advantage to continue to the dominance of Mexican teams in this competition.
I have high hopes for the Concacaf Champions Cup, especially as MLS teams improve and promise to make the event more competitive and more international.

Posted: Tue - May 10, 2005 at 09:49 AM          

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