Xelajú Advances Despite Loss! CONCACAF Central American Cup Drama!
Xelajú MC has made history as the first Guatemalan team to advance from the group stage of the CONCACAF Central American Cup 2025, even after a crushing defeat. Despite a 3-0 loss to Olimpia in their recent match, Xelajú's strong performance in the previous three games secured their spot in the quarterfinals.
Olimpia, playing at home, capitalized on the opportunity, not only securing their own advancement but also claiming the top spot in Group D. The results mean that six of the eight teams progressing to the final phase of the tournament are now confirmed. The remaining two slots will be decided in Group B matches on Thursday, August 28th.
One team facing disappointment is Real Estelí. After finishing as runner-up in both the 2023 and 2024 editions, the Nicaraguan team failed to advance this year.
Group D Final Standings:
- Olimpia: 10 points
- Xelajú MC: 9 points
- Real Estelí: 6 points
- Águila: 6 points
- Hércules: 0 points
The Central American Cup 2025 action continues on Thursday, August 28th, with Herediano vs. Municipal and Real España vs. Sporting San Miguelito, both scheduled for 8 PM. The quarterfinals will begin on September 23rd and conclude on October 2nd.
Xelajú MC's coach, Amarini Villatoro, expressed his frustration after the loss to Olimpia, citing specific errors that the team made. According to Villatoro, the three goals conceded in a short five-minute span were due to a lack of concentration, order, and effectiveness in front of the goal. He emphasized that this serves as a wake-up call for the team.
Coach's Reaction:
"Those five minutes marked us. It's a wake-up call not to make the mistakes that were made in those minutes," Villatoro stated. He added that the team lacked focus and allowed the opponent to capitalize on their errors. He pointed out that despite the 3-0 scoreline, the game was evenly matched, and the team's inability to convert opportunities ultimately cost them.
The CONCACAF Champions Cup play-in matches and semi-finals will be played between October 21st and 30th. The battle for the Central American Cup championship is heating up!