Firpo

Match report

Firpo claimed a narrow victory over LD Alajuelense in the opening match of the CONCACAF Central American Cup group stage on Thursday. A single goal from L. S. Vasquez Velasquez in the 45th minute proved sufficient for the hosts, who saw out a 1-0 win despite Alajuelense's 51 per cent possession.

By then the game was already shifting. Alajuelense made two substitutions at the break — J. Lucumi and C. Perez — while Firpo responded with Creichel Perez and Jeison Lucumí. The changes suggested both sides were looking for something different in the second half, though neither could break through.

Firpo pressed forward with intent, registering 105 attacks to their opponents' 96. They had four shots on target but only converted one, while Alajuelense were more clinical from distance — three shots on target at 60 per cent accuracy. And here's the thing: the match was decided not by volume but by timing.

There were disciplinary moments too. R. Parkins picked up a yellow card in the 64th minute before being substituted himself at 65, replaced by R. Matarrita. C. Borges received his caution later, in the 88th minute. Firpo also saw multiple changes in the final quarter — M. Mercado, W. Y. Arizala Dajomes, L. S. Vasquez Velasquez and R. Cisneros all came on.

The statistics paint a picture of a contest where control did not equal opportunity. Firpo dominated possession in the attacking third with 105 attacks and 14 total shots, yet managed only one on target that counted. Alajuelense had fewer chances but higher precision on goal. The hosts kept their clean sheet, a fourth straight win for them in this competition, and now sit comfortably at the top of the group with two points from one game.

Prepared from match data

Key numbers

Possession, % 49 – 51

Shots on target 4 – 3

Shots off target 10 – 2

Attacks 105 – 96

⚽ 45' L. S. Vasquez Velasquez — Goal ⇄ 45' Creichel Perez — Substitution ⇄ 45' Jeison Lucumí — Substitution ⇄ 46' J. Lucumi — Substitution ⇄ 46' C. Perez — Substitution ⇄ 61' V. Garcia — Substitution 🟨 64' R. Parkins — Yellow card ⇄ 65' R. Parkins — Substitution ⇄ 65' R. Matarrita — Substitution ⇄ 77' M. Mercado — Substitution ⇄ 82' W. Y. Arizala Dajomes — Substitution ⇄ 82' L. S. Vasquez Velasquez — Substitution ⇄ 84' R. Cisneros — Substitution 🟨 88' C. Borges — Yellow card

Match events

45' 1:0 Firpo Goal L. S. Vasquez Velasquez assist: D. Ortez
45' 1:0 LD Alajuelense Substitution Creichel Perez off: Angel Zaldívar
45' 1:0 LD Alajuelense Substitution Jeison Lucumí off: Anthony Hernández
46' 1:0 LD Alajuelense Substitution J. Lucumi off: A. Hernandez
46' 1:0 LD Alajuelense Substitution C. Perez off: A. Zaldivar
61' 1:0 Firpo Substitution V. Garcia off: B. B. Landaverde Alvarez
64' 1:0 LD Alajuelense Yellow card R. Parkins
65' 1:0 LD Alajuelense Substitution R. Parkins off: J. Ruiz
65' 1:0 LD Alajuelense Substitution R. Matarrita off: A. Salazar
77' 1:0 Firpo Substitution M. Mercado off: N. Diaz
82' 1:0 Firpo Substitution W. Y. Arizala Dajomes off: L. Claros
82' 1:0 Firpo Substitution L. S. Vasquez Velasquez off: J. Valencia
84' 1:0 LD Alajuelense Substitution R. Cisneros off: E. Cruz
88' 1:0 LD Alajuelense Yellow card C. Borges

Statistics

49 Possession, % 51

4 Shots on target 3

10 Shots off target 2

105 Attacks 96

4 Corners 4

9 Free kicks 8

5 Offsides 1

0 Yellow cards 2

0 Red cards 0

6 Goal kicks 14

27 Throw-ins 35

All statistics

4 Blocked shots 0

0.22 Shot accuracy 0.60

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