by Rod Hughes

It may be early, since what is called by the First Division the “opening tournament” (the season is divided into two sections) but so far a few surprises have emerged. For example, Brujas from Escazu are front runners in Group A by three points over Saprissa, although Saprissa has played one match fewer. But the big Purple S has been so inconsistent of late that the gap of three points may widen. They may be defending champs, but for Saprissa it could be in one year and out the other.

Saprissa is followed by (of all people) Puntarenas, then Liberia, San Ramon and Carmelita. Meanwhile, in Group B, Alajuela leading is no surprise but guess who is second? University of Costa Rica, that’s who! That club struggled to keep its head above water all last season. They are followed by Perez Zeledon, San Carlos, Cartago and Heredia, the latter no longer a power to be reckoned with.

Yesterday’s matches produced a few gee-whizzers as well. For example, Cartago shackled Saprissa’s usually aggressive attack for a 1-1 tie and could have won it if referee Mario Arturo Barrantes had not developed a case of blindness in the case of Jervis Drummon’s obvious penalty against the hard-driving Oscar Granados of Cartago close in to the goal. Maybe Barrantes swallowed the pea in his whistle. Even Granados’ mother, watching from the stands, said it was a clear penalty, reported an Al Dia sportswriter. Cartago went ahead early on Leonard Madrigal’s goal and it took Alejandro Alpizar to save Saprissa from an embarrassing tie.

Meanwhile, Alajuela was having little trouble with San Ramon on the former’s home pitch, beating the visitors 2-0. Windel Gabriel and Argenis Fernandez scored in the second half but only the athletic blocking of San Ramon’s goalie, Neighel Drummond saved his side from a serious drubbing.

UCR tied with Puntarneas 0-0 in a constant gray drizzle that fitted the quality of the match. Perez Zeledon and San Carlos also went scoreless. Much more interesting match was played out in Liberia pitting that city’s club against a struggling Heredia and winding up a clear 2-1 victory for the home side. It could have been worse for Heredia with Liberia developing 12 or 15 clear opportunities. But two goal shots by Allan Aleman got through. But this happened after Solis had given the home boys a scare, making a goal on a penalty in the closing minute of the first half.