Sporting FC, LD Alajuelense take the first Semifinals | OneFootball

MIAMI – The action keeps going in the professional leagues across Concacaf, as the Liga de Clausura of Costa Rica reached the Semi Final stage, with the teams that made the playoffs fighting for a spot to be in the Final.

After the last week of the regular season, Sporting FC, CS Herediano, LD Alajuelense and Saprissa FF clinched the four top spots in the table, qualifying for the Playoffs. The first games of the semifinal were played on Sunday afternoon, with all four teams taking the field looking to secure a win.

The first match saw Saprissa FF against Sporting FC, the fourth and first place teams in the table, respectively, and the Albinegras of Sporting FC winning 2-1. It was a hard-fought match that saw the first half end without goals, however, the scoring would start in the second half.

Raquel Chacon didn’t waste her chance to score, giving Sporting FC the lead in the 51’. Saprissa FF pushed back and found the goal that would equalize things in the 75’ from the boots of Gabriela Villagrand.

But Sporting FC showed why they were atop the table, as Cristin Granados scored the winning goal in the 81’.

LD Alajuelense and CS Herediano shared the stage for the second Semi Final, ending with las Leonas of Alajuelense winning the match 5-0. The team showed why they are the defending champions and keen to lift the trophy once again. Gabriela Guillen opened the scoring in the 11’, followed by Viviana Chinchilla, who put the ball in the back of the net in the 14’.

The third goal didn’t come until the second half, as Mia Corbin made the most out of GK Priscilla Tapia’s mistake, to make it 3-0 in the 52’. Kenia Rangel then scored the fourth for Las Leonas in the 76’, and the last goal of the night came from Mariela Campos in the final moments of the match, sealing the LD Alajuelense victory.

The second legs of the Semi Finals will take place on Friday and Sunday afternoon, with the teams hoping to secure a spot in this season's Final.