By EFE
Dec 24, 2023, 10:58 AM EST
Comunicaciones, directed by the Uruguayan Willy Coito, won its 32nd title in Guatemala this Saturday and became the country’s top winner by defeating Guastatoya, of Mexican Roberto Montoya, in the final of the Apertura 2023 tournament.
Those led by Coito broke a two-year drought without being crowned champions in front of their fans at the Doroteo Guamuch Flores national stadium.
The Costa Rican-Guatemalan midfielder Rafael Lezcano scored in the 63rd minute the only goal of the match to give Comunicaciones a 1-0 victory.
The goal from Lezcano, who had come on as a substitute a minute before scoring, made the difference since they had tied 1-1 in the first leg.
During the match Comunicaciones had control of the ball, however they could not obtain a larger difference due to the goalkeeper Costa Rican Adrian de Lemos, who stopped three shots that were destined for the back of the net.
A complication for the Coito club was the expulsion of Chilean defender Matías Fracchia in the first half because it forced them to retreat in certain sections of the match.
Guastatoya trusted his Argentine striker Jonathan Morán to even the series. However, Colombian defender José Corena and the Guatemalan José Pinto neutralized the rival.
Another Communications figure was 37-year-old midfielder José Manuel Contreras, who led the team throughout the season.
With this victory, Comunicaciones has become the top league winner in Guatemala, surpassing Municipal, its biggest rival, and a team with which they were tied with 31 crowns.
Lineups of both teams:
1.- Communications: Fredy Pérez; Matias Fracchia, José Pinto, Erik González, Steven Robles; José Manuel Contreras, Antonio López, Jorge Aparicio, José Corena; Jorman Aguilar, Juan Anangonó.
Coach: Willy Coito Olivera.
0.- Guastatoya: Adrian de Lemos; Rubén Morales, Omar Dominguez, Dilan Palencia, Bryan Morales; Wilson Pineda, Marcelo Ferreira, Marco Rivas, William Fajardo; Jonathan Moran and José Almanza.
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