The Jaco Rays

Club Sport Herediano (CSH) is the reigning champion of First Division football (or soccer for readers who insist) in Costa Rica, but that did not seem to prevent the second division team Jaco Rays from beating them during a visit by the champs to the beach. CSH traveled to the Garabito Stadium on Saturday night, and left with a loss to the Rays by a single goal.

The goal by Jaco star striker Johnathan Sanchez was purely opportunistic. It arrived before ten minutes had even been played in the first half. CSH goalkeeper Pablo Chinchilla ventured a bit too far from the goalposts, a maneuver that often fills players and fans alike with trepidation, and Sanchez from the Rays saw the opportunity to capitalize with a strategic shot on goal.

The rocket shot originated from a long distance and was high enough to fly through the goalkeeper’s overhead. The reigning champions were shocked; they immediately went on the offensive but ran into two problems:

1. The Jaco Rays put up a formidable defense
2. The green, natural field of the Garabito Stadium was soaked from earlier rainfall, which took away the spark from Herediano’s attacks.

CSH stars Victor “Mambo” Nunez and Olman Vargas were clearly frustrated by their inability to tie the game, particularly during the second half. That frustration translated into a red card for Nunez, who was summarily ejected from the pitch along with Claudio Vargas of the Jaco Rays. Aside from these expulsions, there were only a couple of yellow cards handed out.

The unceremonious loss comes at a time when CSH is busy with a series of games in Mexico against local teams. The team is trying out different players and team configurations in preparation for the upcoming First Division football tournament in Costa Rica and the CONCACAF Champions League elimination rounds.

It is interesting to note that both CSH and the Jaco Rays are football teams in Costa Rica owned by expat U.S. citizens.

Source: Al Dia CR