Costa Rica‘s Club Sport Herediano clinched a crucial point with a 1-1 tie against Panama’s Plaza Amador in the first Group G match of the 2016-2017 Concacaf Champions League.

Amador, leader in the Panamanian first division, took an early advantage when defender Sergio Ortega connected with his left foot just 12 minutes into the match.

The reigning champions of Costa Rican soccer, who were slow and anemic on the attack for most of the contest, pulled level in the 48th minute on a goal by forward Yendrick Ruiz.

The equalizer boosted Herediano’s morale, but the better spirits were not enough to produce a second goal.

In fact, the closest either side came to scoring again was a pair of shots in quick succession in the 53rd minute by Amador’s Ricaurter Barsallo and Marlon Avila, turned aside by Herediano goalkeeper Leonel Moreira.

Amador goalkeeper and captain Eric Hughes, hampered by a previous injury, had to be replaced in the 39th minute by Samuel Castañeda.

Panama City, Aug 5 (EFE)

As previously reported by The Costa Rica Star, Herediano obtained its 25th championship in its history, which dates back nearly 100 years, earlier this year.

The club’s majority shareholder is David Patey, an expat businessman from the United States, for whom the recent championship is a strong validation of his dedication to make sure that CSH remains financially sound for the sake of players, coaching staff, and -more importantly, fans.

When Patey became interested in CSH back in 2012, the club was strong from a tactical point of view, but its future was uncertain from a business point of view. Through his business dealings, Patey came to hold shares in the entity that owned the club.

Sports bettors interesting in placing wagers on Herediano matches at the CONCACAF Champions League are better off waiting for the semifinal stages.

According to IDSca.com, the leading provider of pay-per-head services in Costa Rica, offshore sportsbooks are not likely to offer action on early matches of this tournament.

Betting is available for matches played by Herediano in the First Division winter tournament of Costa Rica. In fact, the next match will be played away against Deportivo Saprissa, a Champions League rival. Herediano has 3.0 odds against Saprissa’s 2.15 while the odds of a draw stand at 3.20,