C.S. Herediano defeated L.D. Alajuelense, 2-1, at home Sunday in the first leg of the semifinals of the Costa Rican soccer tournament.
A brace by Yendrick Ruiz, who scored in the 60th and 75th minutes, gave the victory to Herediano at their Eladio Rosabel Cordero Stadium.
Maalique Foster scored for Alajuelense in the 88th minute, tallying an important away goal after a defensive error gifted his side an attacking opportunity.
The decisive second leg of the semifinal will be played Sunday at the Alejandro Morera Soto Stadium in Alajuela.
The winner of the two-game series will advance to face Saprissa in the final of the Apertura. Saprissa earned a berth in the final as a result of it finishing atop the table in the first phase of the tournament.
Read more from The Tico Times on attending soccer matches in Costa Rica:
Attending the Apertura: Watching a first-division Costa Rican soccer match the right way
Five things I learned while watching the sun set over El Clásico
