Puerto Wins UNCAF Title in Penalty Shoot-out
Olimpia of Honduras won the battle, but lost the war as Puntarenas became the third Costa Rican team to beat them in the tournament finals. The Puntarenas strategy of trying to avoid an early goal and maintain their 3-2 advantage failed, as Olimpia opened the scoring in the 13th minute. Minor Figueroa fired a long range shot that Puntarenas goalie Shane Orio was able to touch, but the rebound off the crossbar was headed in by Brazilian Luciano Emilio, the leading scorer in the Central American tourney.
But the inexperienced Puntarenas side did not fold and was able to keep Olimpia from scoring again. In the second half Puntarenas took control of the actions and created some good scoring build ups, but the expulsion of Michael Barrantes (2 yellow cards) allowed Olimpia to regain control and pressure the Puntarenas goal.
When regular time ended in a 3-3 tie, the teams went straight to the penalty shootout, where Olimpia suffered a collapse, only scoring 1 shot.
Olimpia: Danilo Tosello missed wide.
Puerto: Max Sánchez scored (0-1)
Olimpia: Gol de Arnold Cruz scored (1-1)
Puntarenas: Roberto Wong scored (1-2)
Olimpia: Shane Orio blocked Juan Pedro Yalet (still 1-2)
Puerto: Alvaro Guerrero scores (1-3)
Olimpia: Minor Figueroa shoots high and Olimpia loses.