Club Sport Herediano is the new champion of First Division Football in Costa Rica. This is the 22^nd championship title earned by the historic team, known to Tico football fans as the first team to win a First Division tournament.

Earlier tonight at the Ebal Rodriguez Stadium in Guapiles, province of Limon, the Asociacion Deportiva Santos was hoping to earn their first-ever First Division Football tournament in Costa Rica. AD Santos played a modest, yet consistent, regular season. When the Caribbean players traveled to the Eladio Rosabal Cordero Stadium in Heredia last week, they tried to take advantage of a confused CS Herediano and managed to not only open the score during the first half, but to also break a tied game later in the second half.

Last week’s game, which was masterfully recovered and won by CS Herediano after a slight scare, was nothing like tonight’s game. AD Santos had their home pitch, but CS Herediano arrived with a stronger lineup and a two-goal advantage. The local team was forced to win, and they got off to a weak start.

The players from AD Santos looked erratic and nervous, even in their own stadium. CS Herediano arrived in Guapiles with more confidence. Prior to the game, star striker Victor Nunez stated that the game would be complicated, but once the action started it was obvious that AD Santos was facing a much superior team. “Mambo” Nunez eventually scored the victory goal for his team.

If there was ever any hope for AD Santos, it came at minute 36 with a penalty kick by Cristian Lagos, which was deflected by the CS Herediano goalkeeper, but a quick reaction by Lagos ensured that AD Santos took the lead. At that point Santos was just one goal away from their first-ever championship. Alas, that sentiment was short-lived. A goal by Jose Cancela right before the end of the first half tied the game and forced Santos to hit the locker rooms with disappointment.

The second half was slightly better, but not for the AD Santos players. CS Herediano took possession of the ball for most of the game, and they had a few opportunities to score, but even with the tied score they knew they would be champions. The late goal by Victor Nunez was sweet retribution for the loyal CS Herediano fans, who have patiently waited since 1993 to once again be known as champions in Costa Rica.