Alajuelense secures spot in final and sets new record in Costa Rican soccer

Liga Deportiva Alajuelense won 2-0 against Santos de Guápiles, securing a place in an eventual final of the 2019 Apertura even if it does not win the second phase of the tournament.

The rojinegro goals were scored by Jonathan McDonald (75) and Marco Ureña (89).

With the result, the team led by the Argentine Andrés Carevic set a new record for consecutive victories away from home: nine.

The previous mark also belonged to Alajuelense and had been imposed in the 1969 and 1970 championships.

In Tibás, the game between Deportivo Saprissa and Limón was suspended due to a heavy downpour that flooded Ricardo Saprissa Stadium. The match was interrupted at minute 19 with the score tied at zero; it will resume Monday at 11:00 a.m.

The ‘S’ is in the third place of the tournament and 18 points behind Alajuelense — although with two fewer games played: the one suspended this Sunday and another against Jicaral (match day 17).

With three matches remaining in the qualifying stage, Herediano is in second place after a 3-1 win over the defending champions, San Carlos, which coach Luis Marín said committed “stupid mistakes.”

San Carlos’ loss leaves them in fourth place, the last one which earns qualification to the next stage.

However, Cartaginés and Jicaral are still fighting for that spot, since they are within three points of San Carlos.