by Rod Hughes

We doubt that anyone will dispute that the best soccer matches come when both sides are evenly matched and that was the case in yesterday’s 1-1 tie between Alajuela and Heredia where the result could have gone either way.

Granted, both sides showed some defects. Heredia took nearly half an hour to appear warmed up and Alajuela showed its customary imprecision this year, especially on someone else’s pitch.

Victor Nunez opened accounts for Alajuela with a goal assisted by Pablo Gabas at minute 26. And 10 minutes later, Mauricio Solis came right back to knot it up with a penalty kick after Gabas committed a foul against Heredia’s Robert Arias.

Thereafter, Heredia dominated play but not enough to break the Alajuela defense. Some sportswriters even thought the red and yellow (Heredia) deserved to win over the red and black (Alajuela) but that was not to be.

In Soccer Non-Action

When the soccer pitch looks like a plowed field and the ball refuses to bounce, but only makes a soggy “plop!” when it comes down, it appears to be wise for the referee to suspend the match. This was exactly what happened to Brujas of Escazu and Liberia yesterday in the stadium in Desamparados after 10 or 15 minutes of play. It was disappointing to everyone except the droves of fans who stayed home because it drizzled all day in Desamparados.

Standings so far:

Heredia is still on top of Group A with 27 points but Alajuela, with two games fewer played due to their participation in the regional torney, is only three points back.
Saprissa is undisputed king of group B with 29 points with Brujas way back with only 20, but one game fewer. (See above.) And Perez Zeledon is breahing down their necks with 19.