Marathon scored twice in the last 14 minutes to overcome San Juan Jabloteh, 3-1, in a CONCACAF Champions League Group B game Wednesday night at Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano.
Mauricio Sabillon broke a 1-1 tie in the 86th minute, when he crashed in a cross from Walter Martinez after the 27-year-old did all the hard work on the left side of the box.
With its 3-1 win over D.C. United last week, the Honduran side has maximum points from its opening two group games, both played at home. Jabloteh, which will consider itself unlucky in failing to get a point from this game, has lost two straight.
The Green Monster took a 10th minute lead, when Mario Berrios scored off a Jerry Palacios backheel inside the penalty area. The ball took a deflection before beating Jabloteh goalkeeper Cleon John. It was Berrios' second Champions League goal in two games.
The visitors could have drawn level six minutes later, but Marvin Oliver's finishing let him down after being played in by Dennis Lawrence with only goalkeeper Juan Obelar to beat.
Marathon and Jabloteh continued to apply offensive pressure as the game flowed freely. John was forced to make a series of saves with varying difficulty as the half's midway point approached. In the 23rd minute, Obelar did well to punch away a chance created by Joel Russell and Jason Marcano.
Jabloteh was offered a lifeline near the end of the opening half, when referee Paul Delgadillo whistled Marathon defender Erick Norales for a handball in the area. Noel Williams sent Obelar the wrong way to convert confidently.
Delgadillo called a handball on Jabloteh's Kevaughn Connell in the 80th minute, giving the home side a chance to regain the lead from the penalty spot. Palacios' shot, though, was saved by John as he dove to the right.
Minutes later, Sabillon would score the game winner, followed by Martinez in stoppage time.
Next up for Marathon in the Champions League is a trip to Toluca for a September 17 top of the table clash. On September 15, San Juan Jabloteh hosts D.C. United in a game of two teams still searching for their first points.
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Line-Ups
San Juan Jabloteh: - 22.Cleon John, 23.Dennis Lawrence, 5. Anton Hutchinson, 6.Noel Williams, 4.Karlon Murray (Yellow 70), 29.Joel Russell, 10.Marvin Oliver (capt) (7.Elijah Manners 67th), 30.Lester Peltier (Yellow 90), 21.Ataullah Guerra (16.Kevaughn Connell 57th), 15. Travis Mulraine, 13.Jason Marcano (32.Jerrel Britto 82nd).
Coach: Earl Jean
CD Marathón: - 27. Juan Obelar, 23. Mauricio Sabillon, 6. Juan García, 5. Erick Norales (Yellow 44) (20.Mario Beata 46th), 4.Maximo Lucas, 19.Mario Berrios (8.Fernando Castillo 63rd), 17.Arnold Solorzano (9.Elvis Scott 87th), 15.Walter Martínez, 22.Glen Brown, 7.Carlos Mejía (Yellow 71, Red 90), 10.Jerry Palacios.
Coach: Manuel Keosseian
Officials
Referee: Paul Delgadillo (MEX).
Assistants: Marcos Quintero (MEX), Salvador Rodriguez (MEX).
Fourth official: Ricardo Zelaya (HON).
GP W D L F A D PTS
CD Marathón 2 2 0 0 6 2 +4 6
CD Toluca 2 2 0 0 4 1 +3 6
San Juan Jabloteh 2 0 0 2 1 4 -3 0
DC United 2 0 0 2 2 6 -4 0