Guerra goal gives Central FC historic win
CONCACAF.comAtaullah Guerra scored the lone goal as Central FC (1W-0D-2L, 3 points) kept its Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League hopes alive with a 1-0 win over visiting Comunicaciones (1W-0D-2L, 3 points) on Thursday at Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Central, which avenged a 1-0 defeat to Comunicaciones in Guatemala City on August 27, moved into second place in Group D on goal difference (-4 to -5), while the first-place LA Galaxy (2W-0D-0L, 6 points) was idle.
The Couva Sharks broke the scoreless stalemate in the 61st minute, when Guerra -- from 17-yards-out -- tucked in the rebound of a saved Darrell Mitchell effort. It was his team-best second goal of the competition.
Three minutes later, Canadian referee David Gantar sent off Mitchell with a straight red card for a late tackle on Comunicaciones’ Rolando Blackburn.
The Guatemalan champion challenged from the outset as Brandon De Leon nearly capitalized on a poor back pass to goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams, but the Central FC captain got a piece of the shot that deflected out for a corner in the opening minute.
In the 19th minute, Emilliano Lopez took a throw-in off the bounce and fired toward the net from 24 yards, but the Argentine’s attempt sailed just wide of the far post.
Central FC’s first scoring chance came five minutes later. Guerra took a free kick from the top left edge of the 18-yard box, but no one was able to connect with his floated ball.
Three minutes from halftime, Williams came up big again for the current Caribbean champion, kicking away a shot from 10 yards by Lopez.
The final scoring chance of the first half went to the host as Guerra put his 32-yard free kick on frame, but Mynor Padilla dived to his right to push the attempt away.
Blackburn was played in toward goal in the 58th minute, but Williams thwarted the attempt, pushing it aside for a Comunicaciones corner kick.
Next up in Group D, Central FC welcomes the LA Galaxy on September 22. The U.S. champion needs only a draw to seal progression to the quarterfinals.
NOTES: It was the second big win for Trinidadian club football within 24 hours. On Tuesday, at the same stadium, DirecTV W Connection upset Costa Rica’s Saprissa, 2-1.
ResultsCentral FC 1 v Comunicaciones 0Guerra 61
TeamsCentral FC - 21.Jan-Michael Williams; 2.Elton John, 17.Marcelle Francois, 24.Kevon Villaroel, 4.Andre Ettienne (Yellow 50); 15.Kaydion Gabriel, 10.Marvin Oliver (Yellow), 7.Jason Marcano (99.Marcus Joseph 56th), 45.Ataullah Guerra, 11.Darren Mitchell (
Red Card 64); 33.Willis Plaza (14.Nicholas Dillon 90th).
Coach - Ross Russell.
Comunicaciones - 23.Mynor Padilla Zuniga; 2.Ruben Morales (13.Carlos Castrillo Alonzo 13th), Wilson Lalin, 4.Carlos Callardo (Yellow 23), 29.Carlos Figueroa Martinez (6.Carlos Mejia 62nd), 19.Nelson Miranda, 21.Brandon De Leon Ramos, 24.Kendell Herrarte, 25.Jorge Aparicio (Yellow 54) (17.Brayan Ordonnez 69th), 18.Emiliano Lopez, 9.Rolando Blackburn.
Coach - Willy Olivera.
Video -
Central FC vs Comunicaciones HighlightsStandingsP W D L F A PtsLA Galaxy 2 2 0 0 10 1 6
Central FC 3 1 0 1 2 6 3
Comunicaciones 3 1 0 2 1 6 3
https://www.youtube.com/v/55_eaYs-A50