Communications achieved its qualification for the Champions Cup of the Concacaf, after beating Cartaginés of Costa Rica on penalties (2-2 on aggregate score).
The ticket for Comunicaciones came after drawing 1-1 in Guatemala City. Later they were able to defeat the Costa Ricans 5-4 in the penalty round.
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The great hero of the match for the locals was goalkeeper Fredy Pérez, who saved two penalties. This will allow Comunicaciones to compete in the most important club tournament of the North, Central America and Caribbean Football Confederation.
¡Los @CremasOficial They will play the 2024 Champions Cup! 🙌
Welcome! 🇬🇹 pic.twitter.com/3cPhPTVaYz
— Concacaf Champions Cup (@TheChampions) November 1, 2023
Vibrant match with Communications at the helm and a Carthaginian fighter
Comunicaciones took the lead in the 22nd minute with a goal from Panamanian Jormán Aguilar.
However, the score came at a cost to the forward, who suffered a serious arm injury in the scoring play and had to be replaced.
Cartaginés could have tied in added time during the first half, but a header from Costa Rican Jeikel Venegas was off target in front of the Comunicaciones goal.
“We knew it was going to be difficult. We had a great rival in front of us” – José Pinto 🎙️@CremasOficial | #CopaCentroamericana pic.twitter.com/ORRbT4bGuk
— Concacaf Champions Cup (@TheChampions) November 1, 2023
Cartaginés found equality in the second half with a penalty from forward Marcel Hernández. This after a foul on the same Cuban player. The infraction that led to the penalty kick was the work of Uruguayan defender Matías Fracchia.
Then, Comunicaciones pounced on their rival and on most occasions opted to look for crosses into the area for the Ecuadorian Juan Anagonó.
Despite this, the clearest option for the winning goal was a long-distance shot by Panamanian Karel Espino, which crashed into one of the goal posts of Costa Rican Kevin Briceño in the 84th minute.
“The group gave everything.” – Marcel Hernandez 🎙️@Carthaginian | #CopaCentroamericana pic.twitter.com/Fo2KlbpKqU
— Concacaf Champions Cup (@TheChampions) November 1, 2023
And at minute 88, Hernández had victory on his feet for Cartaginés, but wasted a one-on-one goal option against the local goalkeeper.
Anangonó, a great figure for Comunicaciones in its Central American title in 2021, almost sentenced in the first extra time, but a shot in front of the rival goal ended on the crossbar.
And at minute 100, the Ecuadorian came close again to defining the series with a header saved agonizingly by goalkeeper Briceño.
You can’t miss the best moments of the electric match between @CremasOficial y @Carthaginian! 👀▶️
📰 Game Chronicle 👈#CopaCentroamericana pic.twitter.com/tlGMznpCU5
— Concacaf Champions Cup (@TheChampions) November 1, 2023
In the penalty shootout, Communications was more certain. Espino, Matthias Fracchia, Antonio Lopez, Jose Corena, Jose Pinto scored and Jose Contreras and Anangono missed.
José Vargas, Allen Guevara, Jordan Smith and Carlos Barahona managed to score for Cartaginés, but Hernández, Douglas López and Christian Martínez failed.
Now the creams advance to the Concacaf tournament along with Alajuelense and Herediano from Costa Rica, as well as Real Estelí from Nicaragua and Independiente from Panama.
