A professional performance saw host Real Espana defeat Trinidad & Tobago's W Connection 1-0 on Thursday night in a CONCACAF Champions League, Group D encounter at the Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano.
The home side scored the game's lone goal in the 11th minute, when the impressive Henry Martinez sent a cross into the box from the right wing. Carlos Pavon let the ball go through his legs and it eventually landed on the foot of 18-year-old Christian Martinez, who made no mistake from 11 yards.
W Connection offered a swift response three minutes later as a Renato Pereira corner found the soaring Clyde Leon, but he could not get his header on goal.
Neither team showed much in the way of urgency until the lively Jonathan Frias entered the game for the visitors in 62nd minute. The Dominican Republic international, making his first appearance since sustaining a hamstring injury against the New York Red Bulls in the preliminary round, added spice to the W Connection attack as it searched for an equalizer.
An increased offensive approach from Connection, though, gave Real Espana license to counter.
In the 63rd minute, Pavon had two attempts blocked, while a minute later an Erick Vallecillo header off a Carlos Diaz corner sailed over the bar.
For all of W Connection's intent to push forward, the Honduran side continued to secure the far better chances.
Pavon barely missed on a beautifully taken free-kick in the 85th minute, while W Connection goalkeeper Marvin Phillip performed acrobatics to prevent an own-goal three minutes later.
The game marked the Champions League debut of young W Connection sensation Shahdon Winchester. The 17-year-old striker made his first start for W Connection last week, scoring two goals in a 3-0 T&T Pro League victory over FC South End.
Real Espana hosts Pumas of Mexico in a top of the table clash next Thursday. W Connection returns home to face Guatemala's Comunicaciones the same night.
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
Teams:
W Connection: - 21.Marvin Phillip (Yellow 85), 5.Elijah Joseph (capt) (15.Eder Arias 68th) (Yellow 84), 4.Renato Pereira, 11.Andre Toussaint, 8.Clyde Leon, 17.Hughtun Hector (Yellow 49), 33.Christian Viveros (10.Jonathan Frias 62nd), 41.Gerard Williams, 2.William Oliveira (Yellow 30), 23.Keryn Navarro, 40.Shahdon Winchester (25.Igor De Oliveira Santos 72nd).
Real CD España: - 22.Marcelo Macias, 27.Erick Vallecillo (Yellow 33), 2.Marlon Pena, 14.Carlos Palacios, 30.Rodrigo Abaurre, 7.Elkin Gonzalez (21.Oscar Morales 70th), 10.Melvin Valladares, 8.Jose Carlos Junior (20.Alfredo Mejia 83rd), 9.Carlos Pavon, 38.Henry Martinez (29.Luis Lobo 78th), 24.Christian Martinez.
Officials:
Referee: W. Lopez.
Assistants: H. Leal (1) - G. Lopez (1).
Fourth Official: J. Molina.