A common saying among Tico football fans is that a First Division Final in Costa Rica is not exciting unless either Liga Deportiva Alajuelense or Deportivo Saprissa get to play. Such belief was shattered last night at the Eladio Rosabal Cordero Stadium in Heredia, where the local team came from behind and defeated Asociacion Deportiva Santos with a final score of four goals against two.

Fans were treated to a goal fest and excitement as Herediano responded vigorously whenever the scoreboard was against them, which happened twice in the high-scoring game.

Club Sport Herediano had their fans extremely worried during the first half, as the players could simply not get it together. Santos arrived in Heredia as a very cautious team, and they started the game on defense. They waited for an opportunity which arrived at the 24-minute mark, with a pass from striker Cristian Lagos to midfielder Osvaldo Rodriguez. It was a surprising goal for the local team, particularly since the defenders from Herediano were focused on shutting down the dangerous Lagos, who last week was the bane of Saprissa’s defense.

After Santos opened the scoreboard, it seemed as if Herediano had already lost the game. The team crumbled and allowed Santos to dribble freely all over the pitch. The local players could not regain possession of the football, and only had one clear goal opportunity towards the end of the first half, which was deflected by goalkeeper Johnny Aguilar.

The Explosive Comeback

Santos expected a swift reaction from Herediano on the second half, but they were not ready for the phoenix-like merciless attack that unfolded against them. As soon as the referee blew the opening whistle, Herediano passed the ball a couple of times and tied with a header by Jose Miguel Cubero in just one minute. It was as if the game had just started and Costa Rica was looking at a new Game 1 of the Summer Tournament Final.

Four minutes later, Randall Porras from Santos put the team from Guapiles back on top, 2-1. That would be the last time Santos would score, and pretty much the last time the players had an offensive chance. If they thought they could hold on to that victory, they were wrong.

The next three goals came at the 70-minute mark by Victor Nunez, Jose Cancela at the 77, and Nunez once again almost at the end of the game. Santos was not prepared for that onslaught, which took a huge toll on goalkeeper Aguilar. The final game will now move to Guapiles in our Caribbean Zone, where Santos will host Herediano at the Ebal Rodriguez next Saturday.