Two games, two wins. Olimpia won again and continues to show her favoritism to be crowned in the 2021 Clausura tournament; this time the victim was Real de Minas, who they defeated 2-0 in a rather difficult match.
The meringues had to sweat to force themselves on a well-planted and orderly mining team on the field, but they were beaten by the quality of the Olympic footballers in specific games.
In two individual actions, one for a defensive foul, the other for Jerry Bengtson’s liveliness and great definition, the plays were the tombstone for Real de Minas’ aspirations to take at least one point from the National Stadium.
Ranking overview of the Clausura 2021 tournament
THE GAME
Coach Pedro Troglio has made some changes to the line-up he presented on the first date against Real Spain, with Allan Banegas, Josman Figueroa and Yustin Arboleda as starters.
The formula Olimpia used in the hands of the Argentinian coach worked slowly as the visitors’ lack of ideas, depth and good tactical stop prevented the merengue game from flowing.
The first dangerous move came until the 18th minute, Olimpia made a good triangulation for Yustin Arboleda to shoot from the left, but the Colombian’s shot was soft to the hands of Julani Archibald.
Two minutes later, on the 20th, the same shooter had set the initial target, but it was canceled due to a clearly forward position.
There came a period when neither team was in danger in the areas, with the ball mainly being played in the center of the field.
In the 41st minute, Josman Figueroa unleashed a shot from outside the area that was deflected by goalkeeper Julani Archibald.
In the complement it was thought that the dynamics would change with the variants of the coaches seeking victory, but the rhythm of the game and the few dangerous moves were maintained.
At minute 67, Olimpia took a corner that could not be removed by the mine defense; the ball was left to Jonathan Paz who checked his chest and scored the first for the long-haired men on the right.
Three minutes later, at the age of 70, an extension with Eddie Hernández’s head set Jerry Bengtson on his way to the rival goal and, before Julani Archibald’s departure, defined the merengue captain low in a great way.
In this way, Olimpia sticks to the intact goal of the three-time championship, six of the six in the two days played, and continues to battle with Motagua for the top of the group in the middle zone.
MATCH SHEET
Olympiad: 1. Edrick Menjívar; 2. Maylor Núñez, 17. Jonathan Paz, 16. Johnny Leverón, 24. Samuel Córdova; 8. Allan Banegas, 29. German Mejia, 33. Michaell Chirinos, 65. Josman Figueroa; 19. Yustin Arboleda, 27. Jerry Bengtson. DT: Pedro Troglio.
Changes: Eddie Hernández for Yustin Arboleda, minute 57. Marvin Bernárdez for Josman Figueroa, minute 57. Matías Garrido for Allan Banegas, minute 68. Cristian Maidana for Michaell Chirinos, minute 68. Diego Reyes for Jerry Bengtson, minute 78.
Goals: Jonathan Paz, minute 67. Jerry Bengtson, minute 70.
Cards yellow: Allan Banegas, minute 28. Josman Figueroa, minute 43. Jonathan Paz, minute 60. Maylor Núñez, minute 86. German Mejía, minute 90 + 3.
Cards rojas: There was no.
Relive the match between Olimpia and Real de Minas minute by minute
Real de Minas: 18. Julani Archibald; 25. David Mendoza, 2. Robel Bernárdez, 15. Bryan Castro, 31. Klifox Bernárdez; 28. Dylan Andrade, 14. Jack Baptiste, 16. Joshua Nieto, 7. Kevin Maradiaga, 17. Axel Barrios; 21. Foslyn Grant. DT: Israel Canales.
Changes: Sebastián Colón for Jack Baptiste, minute 66. Roney Bernárdez for Axel Barrios, minute 66. Kevin Johnson for Joshua Nieto, minute 75. Jairo Rivas for Foslyn Grant, minute 75.
Goals: There was no.
Cards yellow: Kevin Johnson, minute 87.
Cards rojas: There was no.
Referee: Selvin Brown.
Stadium: National, Tegucigalpa.