With just one goal each, Liga Deportiva Alajuelense (LDA) and Club Sport Herediano (CSH) tied their first match of the 42^nd final series of the First Division professional football league in Costa Rica.

The first goal by LDA came within one minute of the match courtesy of an emphatic header by Jose Guillermo Ortiz, and it originated with a locker-room play that made it clear that LDA had reviewed film to find a defensive weakness on the right flank. From this point on, CSH coach Odir Jacques grabbed his clipboard and quickly tried to devise a comeback.

For the next 10 minutes, LDA mostly dominated with a solid offensive line. An incursion into the box by CSH striker Ronny Mora should have been awarded a penalty kick; alas, the referee was far from the play to have seen the egregious tripping foul. From that moment on, the momentum shifted in favor of CSH with a smarter style of play; nonetheless, LDA was able to hold their own.

The first half culminated with LDA 1 – CSH 0 on the scoreboard.

The second half started with CSH on the offensive and LDA parking the bus. By the 60-minute mark, LDA goalkeeper Patrick Pemberton had been forced to fly on a couple of spectacular occasions to prevent CSH from tying the match. Christian Lagos and Ronny Mora tried once and again to advance into LDA’s box; however, the CSH midfield found it difficult to formulate plays.

Just when LDA seemed to have adjusted to the comfort of being ahead by one goal, coach Oscar Ramirez substituted Jose Ortiz for Diego Calvo with firm instructions to deliver explosive counterattacks against CSH; however, Elias Aguilar would tie the match off a header with less than five minutes left on the clock. With this tied score, the championship is still up for grabs for both LDA and CSH.

The clubs played before a sold-out crowd at the Alejandro Morera Soto stadium, located in the burgeoning city of Alajuela. LDA officials mentioned that all available tickets had been purchased about an hour prior to match. For these two clubs, this is the sixth time they meet to play a First Division Final in Costa Rica.

Historically, LDA has had greater advantage in this regard; for CSH, meeting Alajuelense once again is a sign that the enthusiastic cash infusion provided by the club’s new owner, United States expat David Patey, is certainly paying off.

The final match will be decided at the Eladio Rosabal Cordero stadium in Heredia this weekend.