Late penalty propels Comunicaciones
concacafchampions.comRolando Fonseca scored on an 80th minute penalty kick, lifting Comunicaciones to a 2-1 win over host W Connection in a CONCACAF Champions League Group D game Thursday evening at Manny Ramjohn Stadium.
The win gave the Cremas its first points of the competition, while W Connection suffered its second loss in two games.
Repeating scenes from its 1-0 loss at Real Espana last week, the Caribbean champion created chances, but could not find the back of the net often enough.
Andre Toussaint saw a long-range effort sail over the Comunicaciones crossbar in the 8th minute. Six minutes later, Dominican Republic international Jonathan Frias thought he gave the home side the lead, but his shot was parried out for a corner by goalkeeper David Guerra.
Then, in the 31st minute, the visitors struck against the run of play. Confusion between W Connection defenders Elijah Joseph and Gerard Williams saw a ball break for Transito Montepeque. The 28-year-old forward beat his defender and rounded goalkeeper Marvin Phillip to give his team a shock lead.
The Comunicaciones defense eventually tightened, preventing W Connection from penetrating into the area.
The Savonetta Boys suffered a blow in the 64th minute, when Colombian defender Cristian Viveros was ejected for pulling Manuel Soto to the ground.
Despite being down a man, W Connection equalized 11 minutes later. Clyde Leon executed a give-and-go to perfection with Hughton Hector. Leon took the return pass and did not hesitate as he rocketed a shot past Guerra from 25-yards out.
The 1978 CONCACAF club champion would not settle for a sole away point and was rewarded for its enterprising play with a goal 10 minutes from time. US referee Ricardo Salazar whistled W Connection for a handball infraction inside its own penalty box, giving Fonseca the opportunity to score the game winner.
The victory was only the third for an away team in the tournament after 15 games.
Comunicaciones returns to CONCACAF Champions League action on September 17, when it hosts Real Espana. W Connection welcomes Pumas to Trinidad a day earlier.
TeamsW Connection: - 21.Marvin Phillip, 5.Elijah Joseph (capt) (Yellow 60), 4.Renato Pereira, 11.Andre Toussaint, 8.Clyde Leon, 17. Hughton Hector, 33.Christian Viveros (Yellow 38, Red 64), 41.Gerard Williams, 3.Kern Cupid, 2.William De Silva Oliveira (13.Nickcolson Thomas 74th), 10.Jonathan Frias (25.Igor De Oliveira Santos 83rd).
CSD Comunicaciones: - 1.David Guerra, 13.Carlos Castrillo, 4.Carlos Gallardo (5.Erwin Morales 77th), 3.Edwin Enriquez (Yellow 71), 8.Sebastian Diaz, 29.Manuel Soto, 6.Luis Bradley, 99.Marco Ciani (22.Rigoberto Gomez 68th), 15.Fredy Thompson, 17.Transito Montepeque (27.Dwight Pezzarossi 72nd), 7.Rolando Fonseca.
OfficialsReferee: Ricardo Salazar (USA).
Assistants: Thomas Supple (USA), Fabio Tovar (USA).
Fourth official: Geoffrey Hospedales (TRI).
GP W D L F A D PTSPumas UNAM 2 2 0 0 6 1 +5 6
CSD Comunicaciones 2 1 0 1 2 2 +0 3
Real CD España 2 1 0 1 2 5 -3 3
W Connection FC 2 0 0 2 1 3 -2 0
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