Central American playoffs, Part II

Notes from playoff action in Central America:

The Honduran Apertura final will be a San Pedro Sula clásico as Marathón will face Real España.  Marathón defeated Motagua 1-0, which left the aggregate score at 1-1 and allowed Marathón to advance on the better regular-season record ("ventaja deportiva" in Spanish).  Real España came back twice against Olimpia to win the return leg 3-2 and tie up the aggregate at three goals apiece.  The Españolistas advance by virtue of their regular-season record as well.  The first leg of the final is on Sunday at Estadio Olímpico (Marathón's home ground) and the return leg the following Saturday the 13th at Estadio Morazán.

In Costa Rica, San Carlos scored the first upset of the Apertura playoffs after an intense 1-1 draw with Brujas (3-1 on aggregate).  The Wizards opened the scoring to get back into the series, but San Carlos responded just before halftime to put the pressure back on the home side.  San Carlos 'keeper Ronny Hernández saved a Brujas penalty with ten minutes to go, and then Brujas pressed the self-destruct button as two players were sent off in the final minutes.  San Carlos will now play Alajuelense in the semifinals.  In the other first round series, Pérez Zeledón hosts Liberia Mía tomorrow with the aggregate tied at 2-2.

In Guatemala, Xelajú and Xinabajul have the advantage after the first leg of their first-round series.  Xelajú have a foot in the semifinal round after a 3-2 away victory against Deportivo Marquense; Xinabajul will have to defend a 1-0 advantage against Zacapa.

The schedule for the first-leg semifinal matches in El Salvador have been set - Metapán play FAS on Saturday, and Águila play Chalatenango on Sunday.  As Metapán and Águila finished highest in the standings, they had the option of hosting the first leg or playing away.  Águila decided to open the series on the road as per the usual custom, while Metápan decided to play the first match at home (a decision made by the club directors but one that the coach didn't agree with).

Nicaragua's playoff schedule has also been confirmed, and Real Estelí, Deportivo Ocotal, Diriangén, and VCP-Chinandega have advanced to the liguilla.  The Nicaraguan federation wanted to conclude the Apertura tournament before Christmas, but the club directors wanted to play matches on weekend dates in order to maximize gate receipts.  The directors won out, and the semifinals (Real Estelí-VCP and Dep Ocotal-Diriangén) will be played on the 7th and 14th, with the final series played on the 21st and 28th of December.  One interesting tidbit from the playoffs is VCP-Chinandega, who were promoted from the second division last season and are in the playoffs for the first time.

UPDATE: That second leg between Pérez Zeledón and Liberia has been postponed again, due to a waterlogged pitch.  The match has been rescheduled for noon tomorrow, if possible.