Wilson Lalin scored in the first half as Comunicaciones recorded a 1-0 Group D win over Central FC in the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League on Thursday night at the Estadio Cementos Progreso.
Goalkeeper Fredy Perez, who wasn’t severely tested, registered the shutout.
The Cremas controlled the opening half with Carlos Figueroa causing the visitor problems on the right flank.
After several corner-kick attempts, Comunicaciones finally cashed in on a free kick in the 11th minute. Positioned on the right side, Figueroa lofted the ball to Lalin, who beat his marker and headed into the right corner past goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams from 10-yards out for a 1-0 advantage.
The host thought it had doubled the lead three minutes later as Rolando Blackburn knocked in an Agustin Herrera free kick, but the Panama international was ruled to be offside.
Central FC had only a few decent scoring opportunities. In the 23rd minute, Marcus Joseph sent a 30-yard free kick over the crossbar.
Comunicaciones, on the other hand, made Williams work. The Trinidad & Tobago international saved Rafael Morales' header in the 31st minute. He also denied the Guatemalan side twice in the 84th minute, stopping Herrera and the subsequent rebound.
In the closing seconds, Emiliano Lopez missed a solid chance to net an insurance goal, booting Herrera’s left-wing feed wide right.
These two teams will meet again at Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain on September 17.
A win would put Comunicaciones into a tie for the group lead with the Galaxy, while Central FC would be eliminated with a loss.
NOTES: - Comunicaciones’ Jean Marquez was stretchered off the field in the sixth minute with an injury and was replaced by Carlos Mejia. Comunicaciones is unbeaten in its last four SCCL home games (3W-1D-0L).
Teams
Central FC: 21.Jan-Michael Williams (capt); 15.Kaydion Gabriel, 12.Jamal Jack (Red 84), 4.Andre Ettienne, 3.Keion Goodridge; 2.Elton John (Yellow 65), 10.Marvin Oliver; 11.Darren Mitchell (14.Nicholas Dillon 90th), 45.Ataullah Guerra, 99.Marcus Joseph (6.Kerry Baptiste 88th); 33.Willis Plaza (26.Jem Gordon 78th).
Unused substitutes: 30.Akel Clarke (GK), 17.Marcelle Francois, 19.Nathaniel Garcia, 24.Kevon Villaroel
Coach: Ross Russell
Comunicaciones: 1.Fredy Perez; 3.Wilson Lalin, 12.Jean Marquez (6.Carlos Mejia 6th - Yellow 63), 13.Carlos Castrillo (Yellow 43), 14.Rafael Marquez; 25.Jorge Aparicio, 28.Francisco Burgos, 29.Carlos Figueroa; 77.Jairo Arreola (24.Kendell Herrarte 64th), 9.Rolando Blackburn (18.Emiliano Lopez 69th), 11.Agustin Herrera.
Unused substitutes: 23.Mynor Padilla (GK), 2.Ruben Morales, 15.Jose Del Aguila, 17.Bryan Ordonez.
Coach: Willian Coito
Referee: John Pitti (Panama)
Standings
P W D L F A Pts
LA Galaxy 2 2 0 0 10 1 6
Comunicaciones 2 1 0 1 1 5 3
Central 2 0 0 2 2 6 0
Video:Comunicaciones vs Central FC Highlights