After 6 consecutive wins and 9 matches without losing, the three-time First Division Champions Liga Deportiva Alajuelense (LDA) looked like they had it all worked out in terms of advancing to the quarter finals round of the summer football tournament.

They were looking for a victory, but a tied score would have been to their advantage. They had the home pitch advantage at the Scotiabank-Alejandro Morera Soto near downtown Alajuela. But they also had to face the Northern Bulls of the Asociacion Deportiva San Carlos (ADSC), an opportunistic team with a slight chance of advancing to the next round as well.

During the first half of the game last night, ADSC looked imposing against LDA. The bulls scored one goal early on during the game, and then weighed their options against an LDA team that looked erratic and lost one player to the fate of a red card.

During the second half, however, the ten men from LDA seemed like 20. They delivered a merciless attack on ADSC that culminated on an even score that cemented their ticket to the next round. ADSC players barely got to touch the ball, with the exception of their defenders and goalkeeper. One opportunistic counterattack by ADSC clouded the future of LDA, as the bulls came away victorious.

Meanwhile, Club Sport Cartagines (CSC) was capitalizing on LDA’s defeat with a 5-1 victory over the Santos team from Guapiles. CSC was clearly attempting to bridge the gap of goals in favor that LDA enjoyed before last night. CSC is now in fourth place and could advance to the quarter finals.

What would it take the champs to qualify? Something approaching a miracle. LDA must now travel to Perez Zeledon and beat the tournament leader, while hoping for CSC and Club Sport Herediano to lose at their respective games this coming Sunday.

Source: AlDia