Forge FC qualified for the semifinals of the Concacaf League after eliminating the Santos Sports Association in the quarterfinals. The North Americans also obtained the ticket to the Champions League 2022.
The Canadians defeated the Costa Rican team 3-0 on Tuesday at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, Canada. In the first leg they had lost 3 x 1 in Costa Rica, but they prevailed 4 x 3 in the aggregate.
Despite the loss, Santos de Guápiles also qualified for the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League by virtue of being one of the best in the rankings, but will have no option to play for the 2021 Concacaf League title.
The Tico, Joshua Navarro, scored the goal that gave Forge FC the 3-0 win over Santos. With the series tied on aggregate (3-3) Navarro, who had minutes to be on the court, finished off a cross from Emery Weslhman from close range in the 82nd minute and made the move to the semifinals and the ticket to the Concacaf Champions League. Scotiabank.
After several unsuccessful attempts, Forge FC took the lead with a goal from Panamanian Omar Browne in the 29th minute. Molham Babouli sent a cross from the left that his teammate Emery Welshman let it pass and Browne took a shot from first to put the ball in the first post impossible for goalkeeper Kevin Ruiz.
Prior to Browne’s goal, Forge FC had exercised total dominance over Santos de Guápiles with high pressure that cost the 2017 Scotiabank Concacaf League runner-up to gain possession of the ball.
In the 16th minute, the first clear play of goal for the local team arrived. Borges finished off and goalkeeper Kevin Ruiz rejected, the rebound fell to Panamanian Browne and ended up sending him over the top.
Tristan Borges in the 20th minute sent a left-footed shot over the crossbar after an assist from the left by Elimane Cissé.
Santos first approached the goal defended by Triston Henry in the 33rd minute when a Javon East shot was deflected on the way to the corner kick by Elimane Cissé.
Santos’ approach changed in the second half and in five minutes, he generated more actions compared to the first half.
The first was from Cuban Luis Paradela to pass from East. Paradela’s shot was barely deflected at 50 minutes and seconds later, it was East himself who tried with a left-foot shot.
Forge FC responded in the 61st when Molham Babouli found himself with a loose ball in front of the box and his final shot went over the crossbar in the 61st minute. But four minutes later, Babouli hit with a powerful right hand after a great play by Browne after dribbling to Meneses sent a cross from the right that the midfielder defined in great form.
With the aggregate score tied 3-3, Luis Paradela had the goal that gave Santos the pass directly after receiving a long pass from East, but the Cuban forward could not define clearly in the 73rd minute.
Forge FC will play in the semifinals against Motagua from Honduras who achieved a (4-0) aggregate over Marathon. (sensationdeportiva.com)