Herediano to face Saprissa in Apertura final

CS Herediano defeated LD Alajuelense on penalties and won on Sunday the second phase of the Apertura tournament of Costa Rican club soccer.

Herediano advances to the Apertura final and will face Deportivo Saprissa, which earned a pass to the championship round by winning the first phase of the Apertura tournament — a round robin between all 12 teams of the first division.

Sunday’s match, intense and even, finished 2-1 in favor of Alajuelense for a 3-3 aggregate score, forcing the deciding penalties which Herediano won 4-2. The first leg, played a week ago, had been won by Herediano at home, 2-1.

Alajuelense opened Sunday’s scoring in the 28th minute through Jonathan McDonald after a free kick taken by the Honduran Alex Lopez.

29′ ¡Gooool! Apareció el verdugo, Jonathan McDonald empata la serie y Alajuelense toma la ventaja por el gol de visita #EstePartidoSiSeVe pic.twitter.com/nSuUwG5lnr

— Deportes Repretel (@deporterepretel) December 9, 2018

Allan Cruz tied the match in the 55^th minute after receiving a service from Yendrick Ruiz.

10′ ¡Goool! Allan Cruz le devuelve la ventaja al Herediano que gana en el global 2-3, siga el juego por canal 6 y por https://t.co/rlzISdVXdG pic.twitter.com/Xl4PlU6Vs8

— Deportes Repretel (@deporterepretel) December 9, 2018

In the 68^th minute, Jonathan Moya received a center to the left of Barlon Sequeira and put his side up, 2-1.

28′ ¡Gooool! Jonathan Moya mete de nuevo a la Liga en el partido, #Alajuelense 3-3 #Herediano, siga el partido por canal 6 y por https://t.co/rlzISdVXdG #EstePartidoSiSeVe pic.twitter.com/XLYGiY7AQa

— Deportes Repretel (@deporterepretel) December 9, 2018

The scoreline remained unchanged through regulation and extra time, and Herediano capitalized on penalties.

The finals, which will be played as a home-and-home, begin Dec. 16 at Herediano’s Estadio Eladio Rosabal Cordero. Tickets are available starting at 15,000 colones (about $25).