Alajuelense Vs. UANL Tigres, 2012 CONCACAF Champions League: Costa Ricans Earn Draw

If any team in Group 6 was going to challenge UANL Tigres for a spot in the quarterfinals it was Alajuelense, and on Wednesday they certainly challenged the Mexican side. The Costa Ricans pushed the group favorites and they were rewarded in stoppage time when Luis Valle found the net to earn them a 2-2 draw that keeps Alajuelense undefeated in five CONCACAF Champions League home matches.

Alajuelense actually had an early lead thanks to Diego Calvo, who came on in the 19th minute for an injured Kevin Sancho. He was able to grab a loose ball and from 20 yards out hit a good curling shot that found the net for a 1-0 Alajuelense lead.

But despite playing with what was mostly a youth team, Tigres didn’t go away and just before halftime they got level. After a cross caused havoc in the home side’s box, Alonso Zamora was able to get to the ball and knock it into the net for an equalizer.

On the other side of halftime, Manuel Viniegra put Tigres in front when he was able to get free on an Alberto Acosta free kick. The ball found him seven yards from goal and he made no mistake with his finishing, heading home what many thought would be the winner.

Still, Alajuelense did not give up and it paid off in the waning minutes. Once again it was a loose ball that proved dangerous for the Costa Ricans as Valle got to it and took a touch to settle. He lined up a shot from outside the box and hit it just right, beating Aaron Fernandez and earning Alajuelense a point.