Costa Rica, Honduras clubs vie for glory in 2022 SCL finale
One match remains in the 2022 Scotiabank CONCACAF League (SCL), as Alajuelense of Costa Rica and Honduran club Olimpia will vie for CONCACAF glory in the final second leg on Wednesday night at the Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto in Alajuela, Costa Rica, CONCACAF says.
After a scintillating first leg in Honduras, it said on Monday that Olimpia carries a 3-2 advantage into the second and deciding leg, and a chance to be the SCL’s first and final champion.
“But Alajuelense will certainly fancy their chances at becoming the only two-time SCL champion themselves, especially playing in front of their home fans,” said CONCACAF, stating that the Ticos are unbeaten in 10 SCL matches at home, with seven wins and three draws.
CONCACAF said history favors Olimpia going into Wednesday night’s encounter.
“Not only have the Catrachos never lost to Alajuelense in the SCL, with three wins and one draw, but in the last three SCL finals played over two legs, the team victorious in the first leg has ended up lifting the trophy,” CONCACAF said.
It said last week’s first leg was also a historical one in that Olimpia’s Michaell Chirinos and Johan Venegas of Alajuelense became the first two players to score in two different SCL Finals.
Chirinos starred for Olimpia with two assists in addition to his score, “giving him a whopping 10 career assists,” CONCACAF said.
It said Jose Pinto and Jorge Alvarez also found the back of the net for Olimpia, “just rewards for two players who have been instrumental in this run to the Final for the club.
“No Olimpia player has more passes in the 2022 SCL than Pinto with 260, while Alvarez leads the team in fouls received with 14,” CONCACAF said.
It said all-time top SCL scorer Venegas “continued his fine run of form, scoring one of the two Alajuelense goals in the first leg, giving him 17 career goals in the tournament.”
CONCACAF said Giancarlo Gonzalez also found the back of the net for the second SCL game in a row for the Ticos, while Jose Cubero was “a workhorse in midfield, completing an astounding 125 of 129 passes.
“Those players and more will all be important factors in a match that will forever live in CONCACAF Lore and serve as a part of history for the champion,” it said.
