Friday, March 29, 2024

CONCACAF Champions League Wrap: Da Silva gives Toluca advantage

SoccerNews in General Soccer News 2 Apr 2014

54 Views

Toluca put one foot in the CONCACAF Champions League final with a 1-0 win in their semi-final first leg at Alajuelense on Tuesday.

Captain Paulo da Silva’s header 19 minutes from time gave Toluca victory in Costa Rica after the home side wasted an opportunity from the penalty spot.

With Toluca set to host the second leg next week, the Mexican club will be expected to defeat Alajuelense on aggregate and qualify for their first continental final since 2006.

Alajuelense finished with 17 shots to just seven from Toluca but the home side’s best opportunity came in the 66th minute when Johan Venegas went down in the box under minimal contact from Da Silva.

But Alajuelense striker Jonathan McDonald hit his spot kick over the bar and, five minutes later, the hosts were made to pay for that miss.

Having conceded the penalty, Da Silva made up for his error by heading Juan Manuel Salgueiro’s corner into the net, after getting free of his marker at the top of the six-yard box.

Toluca have never played in a CONCACAF Champions League final, having last qualified for a continental final in the CONCACAF Champions Cup era, while they last won the tournament in 2003 – their second title.

Alajuelense won the year after and have not made the final since.

In the other semi-final first leg, Tijuana won an all-Mexico battle with Cruz Azul 1-0 thanks to Cristian Pellerano’s second-half penalty.

Cruz Azul entered the match on top of Liga MX, while Tijuana sit ninth, but the league leaders could not match their hosts on the continental scene.

Tijuana have a formidable record at their Estadio Caliente, with Tuesday’s win their fourth in a row at the venue, and they have only lost once in their past 22 matches at home.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

SoccerNews

Soccernews.com is news blog for soccer with comprehensive coverage of all the major leagues in Europe, as well as MLS in the United States. In addition we offer breaking news for transfers and transfer rumors, ticket sales, betting tips and offers, match previews, and in-depth editorials.

You can follow us on Facebook: Facebook.com/soccernews.com or Twitter: @soccernewsfeed.

SHARE OR COMMENT ON THIS ARTICLE

WE RECOMMEND

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This field is required *

Join the conversation!

or Register

More More
Top