(EFEI0499 /)
San José, May 20 (EFE) .- Saprissa defeated the current Herediano champion 1-0 on Wednesday and consolidated the leadership of the Clausura Tournament in the restart of soccer in Costa Rica after two months of a break caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
A lone goal by Michael Barrantes in the first half gave the victory to the ‘purple monster’ who is entrenched at the top of the standings with 36 points after 16 days played, followed by Alajuelense with 32 units.
With a powerful shot from outside the area, Barrantes certified Saprissa’s victory at home against an opponent who showed little offensive power in a close match in midfield and typical of teams without rhythm that are just beginning to resume the level.
Saprissa was better overall and had at least two other clear goal occasions that were repelled by goalkeeper Esteban Alvarado, the best figure of the Herediano.
The one in Costa Rica is the first league in America that resumes amid the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic that causes COVID-19 and has done so with a strict health protocol that requires players to constantly use alcohol gel and masks to those who are on the benches, among other provisions.
Saprissa (36 points) remains the leader followed by Alajuelense (32), who won 0-2 against Carthaginians on Tuesday, while the third box corresponds to Herediano (26) who is 10 points from first place.
The fourth position is from the surprising Jicaral (25), who beat San Carlos 0-1 on Wednesday with a score by attacker Jurgens Montenegro.
After 16 days of the 22 that make up the first phase, Saprissa and Alajuelense are close to securing two of the four places in the semifinals, while for the other two there is a close dispute.
The Guadalupe (24), Cartaginés (22) and San Carlos (20), are the teams that will seek to fight third and fourth place that currently belong to Herediano and Jicaral.
The day was completed this Wednesday with the victory of Greece by 1-0 over Pérez Zeledón and that of Santos by 1-3 against Universitarios, in half-table teams duels down.
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