Solvent. The Cuscatleca team got three points in its home debut in the new edition of the CONCACAF Nations League. They beat Granada 3-1 and are at the top of the standings in Group D.
The team led by Hugo Pérez had some difficulties, especially at the beginning of the game, to overcome a Caribbean team that showed good credentials but was overcome when the team from Cuscatleco knew how to play from first intention. Three important points for this start of the contest that has clear objectives, with qualifying for the next Gold Cup as the first option and then looking for first place.
There were two blows to the jaw in the first interactions of the meeting. On the part of the Salvadorans, just at minute two, a center from Tamacas had a slight extension from Enrico and it was enough for Bonilla to define. It was with a touch of first to arrive before the defenders and goalkeeper Reice Cook for 1-0.
It was the ideal start for the team that sought to find its best moments from the last tie in this new edition of the regional tournament. However, Granada quickly responded with a well-aimed blow. On his first approach, Alexander Mcqueen turned on it with everything on the outskirts of the area and surprised González, who might not reach the lower right corner. It was 1-1.
From there it was rowing once morest style, once morest an opponent who knew how to complicate things with good pressure in the first few minutes and also with a lack of freshness when it came to being creative to overcome a defense well planted behind.
The Cuscatleca team took the ball, as was expected, and searched the sides to avoid the sea of legs on the edges of the area. It half worked for him. First, because although he knew how to gain depth, he lacked precision to assist the element that closed the play. Then, she was an easy target for the defenders who sent her flying.
Also because at times that leaked ball was missing and many passes were missed, leaving the national team at the mercy of Caribbean counterattacks. Granada had a clear plan, which was to hold on, bail out and go out at speed.
DOUBLET
The team tried it from long distance with shots from Jairo Henríquez (16′, outside), Larín (30′ right at the goalkeeper) and Enrico (36′, outside) but they had no aim to give the advantage.
Even Bonilla was close in a cross from Tamacas around the 37th minute that might not reach inside the area.
It was at the end of the first half when Bonilla scored his second goal. It was then that Narciso opened for Larín, who first-class and with a subtle touch enabled the national striker to finish the job. He took out the striker and sent the ball deep for 2-1.
It was an important blow to go into the break with an advantage. The team had the ball but lacked precision and a little more speed in their movements to create spaces.
About 45′ Bonilla also had another header, but might not give him direction when he had surpassed the marks of the Caribbean defenders.
Already in the complement, the selection had its ups and downs. He tried to put speed on the bands where Pineda and Jairo tried to overwhelm with lights and shadows. In fact, Pineda had a good opportunity to extend the advantage but he went blank when he had everything to define following a cross.
But it was an own goal by Paterson that gave him peace of mind. Larín opened in an exceptional way for the arrival of Pineda, who sent the low center but the Caribbean player sent it into his own goal for 3-1.
The cuscatlecos went on to dominate the match without major shocks. The result already generated that necessary calm so as not to be complicated while for Granada, which made one or another attempt, it was also not to come out with a greater beating from Cuscatlán.
The team had a good presentation in general terms but it also leaves the feeling that there are many aspects to polish, such as concentration, precision and recovering the rhythm of some elements that, at least last night, did not have their best performance.