Xelajú MC became the Clausura 2023 champion thanks to the comeback in the final series against Antigua GFC, whom they defeated 3-0 for a 3-2 aggregate. The Superchivos added their long-awaited “Sexta Luna”, as they call each of the titles they have achieved in the National League.
In addition to achieving its sixth title, Xelajú MC also certified its ticket to the next Concacaf Central American League, the new international tournament for clubs in the area. The superchivos join Cobán Imperial (2022 Opening Champion) and Comunicaciones (First place overall).
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Xelajú adds his Clausura 2023 title to those he won in the 1961/62 season and in the 1980 national tournament. Then they did it in the 1995/1996 season in the last tournament of the so-called “long” ones that were played in three rounds , all against all.
XELA IS CHAMPION! after 11 years @Xelaju_Oficial is crowned champion after coming back from the series and defeating 3-0 @soyantiguagfc for a global of 3-2. The supergoat team also becomes the third Guatemalan team to qualify for the Concacaf Central American Cup. 🏆🐏 pic.twitter.com/LXzT3z9eN1
— Milton Meléndez Urízar 🇬🇹 (@Miltonmelendezu) May 28, 2023
In the short tournaments he won in the Clausura 2007 and the most recent had been for the Clausura 2012.
THERE, THERE, THERE IS THE CHAMPION!
XELAJU MC CONQUERS LA SEXTA LUNA!!! pic.twitter.com/lVrOlztDLB
— Lₒcₒₛ Pₒᵣ Xₑₗaⱼᵤ́ (@LocosPorXelaju) May 28, 2023
Xelajú MC champion
🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙🔵⚪️🔴🐑 pic.twitter.com/BHaQCNXzdu— -Alex Alvarado- (@siralexalvarado) May 28, 2023
With the need to overcome the series after the 2-0 loss in the first leg, the supergoats took the initiative to go on the attack. However, the possession of the ball and the arrivals did not end in the objective, which was to reach the goal.
It was not until minute 36 when a cross that came from the right was “combed” by the Mexican Oscar Villa before a bad start by goalkeeper Braulio Linares. The ball went to the back of the goal and made it 1-0 in Antigua GFC’s first clear arrival at the goal, and that’s how they went to halftime.
XELA GOAL! 😍 Villa made it 1-0 for the Quetzalteco team and the fans continue to believe in the comeback. 💪#GuatemalaEnFOX pic.twitter.com/FJ94OEspXF
— FOX Deportes (@FOXDeportes) May 28, 2023
In the second half, the coach Amarini Villatoro sent Frank de León onto the field to replace Jonathan Velásquez, without knowing that the change would be decisive in achieving victory.
Frank de León received a pass from his brother Maynor at minute 72, and inside the area he dominated the ball and finished for 2-0 that meant 2-2 on aggregate.
XELA GOAL! 🥳 Frank de León made it 2-0 to @Xelaju_Oficial and the tie in the series. 💥#GuatemalaEnFOX pic.twitter.com/JAMBjK1jWB
— FOX Deportes (@FOXDeportes) May 28, 2023
On the final stretch of the game, Frank himself found himself in the area and now with the assistance of Javier González, he took a cross shot that beat goalkeeper Linares for the third time, to make it 3-0 and 3-2 on aggregate. .
ICE GOAL! 😳🔥 Come back from @Xelaju_Oficial at home thanks to Frank de León and a huge celebration for the Quetzaltec fans. 🤩#GuatemalaEnFOX pic.twitter.com/1sfLODyJfY
— FOX Deportes (@FOXDeportes) May 28, 2023
The controversy of the party came about the closing of the meeting. In a play from the right, Carlos Mejía sent a cross to the Xelajú area, which was defending itself against the insistent and desperate attacks from Antigua in search of a tie.
The midfielder Oscar Santis connected the center and saved the Panamanian goalkeeper José Calderón, the rebound was found by Dewinder Bradley who scored, but the assistant referee 2, Raúl Jiménez, flagged a non-existent offside. The referee Mario Escobar whistled and endorsed the decision of his cuartera partner, and avoided what was the tie goal for the Antigüeños.
#Closure2023 Antigua’s equalizer goal disallowed
The antigüeños claimed that they were empowered in the play@Xelaju_Oficial 3-0 @soyantiguagfc pic.twitter.com/hjbmD2MRHO
— ThisIsLaLigaGT (@ThisIsLaLigaGT) May 28, 2023
Xelajú MC celebrated its sixth title at the end, this time at the hands of national coach Amarini Villatoro, who becomes the first Guatemalan coach to guide Xelajú to a title. In addition, the Cobanero coach adds his third scepter in the National League, after having won a two-time championship with Deportivo Guastatoya.
