Playoff action in Central America

The end of the calendar year brings playoff action throughout the CONCACAF region.  Here's a brief sketch of what's going on in Central America:

The regular season in Costa Rica's Apertura concluded a week ago, and the second- and third-placed clubs in both groups play in the first round of the playoffs (Saprissa and Alajuelense have byes to the semifinal round as group winners).  Liberia and Pérez Zeledón drew 2-2 in their first leg last Wednesday, but the return leg was suspended due to heavy rains.  San Carlos and Brujas FC were able to start their series today, and San Carlos won at home 2-0.  Their series concludes at Brujas on Wednesday. 

Honduras' Apertura playoffs started this weekend as Olimpia faced Real España and Motagua hosted Marathón in the first leg matches of the semifinal round.  The return legs are on Tuesday and Wednesday, with Olimpia and Motagua holding on to one-goal margins (2-1 and 1-0, respectively).

Guatemala uses a playoff system similar to Costa Rica's (top six with the top two given direct berths to the semifinal round) and the playoff places were confirmed after the final round of the regular season today.  The Big Two of Guatemalan football -- Municipal and Comunicaciones -- were the top two in the Apertura, followed by Zacapa, Xelajú, Marquense and Xinabajul.  The first round of the playoffs starts on Wednesday with return legs on Saturday and Sunday.  Once again the CCL took its toll on some of its participants; while Municipal finished the Apertura at the top, Jalapa finished the tournament at the bottom!

In Panama, Árabe Unido are the champions of the 2008 Clausura after defeating Tauro in a thrilling final today, 3-2 after extra time.  You can find more about the new champions at their official website.

The final round of the Apertura tournament in Nicaragua is this weekend.  Real Estelí have already qualified for the four-team playoff in first place, and the remaining three places are being disputed by Deportivo Ocotal, Diriangén, VCP-Chinandega, and Walter Ferreti.  I haven't seen any results, but I'll report those on my next update.

In El Salvador, the Apertura regular season is complete and Águila, Isidro Metapán,  FAS and Chalatenango are in the four-team playoffs.  The semifinal round will be played over two legs on 6-7/13-14 December, and the final will be a single match on 21 December.  The winner of the Apertura will play in the group stage of the 2009-10 CONCACAF Champions League.  The big absence from the playoffs is Firpo, who dominated the 2007-08 season.