In the last breath. After a 3-3 draw on matchday 7 of the 2023 Apertura tournament, UPN and Olimpia delivered a goalfest at the Emilio Williams Stadium in Choluteca.
The Albos had victory in their hands, but without a doubt the university students were an example of not giving up until the end and scoring the equalizer at the end of the game.
Héctor Castellón’s side salvaged a valuable draw, having just lost two games in a row against Vida and Victoria, both in La Ceiba.
Despite the draw, Olimpia remains unbeaten in the 2023 Apertura tournament and the Lobos breathe a sigh of relief on this day after drawing level with the current Honduran football champions, who due to their activity in the Nations League do not have the selected Edrick Menjívar, Jorge Álvarez and Edwin Rodríguez could count.
— ACTIONS —
Olimpia defended its lead with some innovations in its starting line-up and remained unbeaten in the 2023 Apertura tournament.
But in front of them they had a bitter rival who, despite two defeats in La Ceiba against Vida and Victoria, surprised in the 4th minute with Carlos Róchez, who led the UPN’s first attack move.
Róchez shot a powerful shot, but the crossbar denied him the goal, into the goal defended by Naid Güity.
Olimpia didn’t give up and scored the winning goal in the 15th minute. Carlos Pineda took advantage of a loose ball in the penalty area and shot with his right foot from a corner to beat Celio Valladares’ goal.
Nine minutes later he replied: “La Manada.” Police officer William Moncada sent the ball away after a cross shot that eventually beat Alex Guity to make the final score 1-1.
In the actions that followed, the wolves grew. In the 34th minute, Carlos Róchez took a free kick on the edge of the penalty area and defender Kenneth Hernández managed to deflect the ball to make it 2-1 and drive Choluteca’s Emilio Williams crazy.
The comparison was frenetic. The lion was wounded, but not dead. José Mario Pinto came down the left side, combined with Bengtson and sent the “5” to the left side of Celio Valladares to parry and make the duel 2-2.
ADD TO
In the supplementary actions, Olimpia surprised the cats. Kevin López galloped down the right wing and sent in a beautiful cross that was intercepted by Jerry Bengtson, who added to his legacy with a spectacular header.
At the end of the game, Lobos did not give up, they found a free kick on the edge of the penalty area, which was crossed by Árnold Meléndez to decide the final 3-3 in Choluteca.
MATCH DATA
(2) UPNFM Wolves: Celio Valladares; Kenneth Hernández, Lesvin Medina, Luis Santos, Cristhopher Meléndez; Carlos Róchez, Cristofher Urmeneta, Jack Baptiste, Jeffryn Macías; Erick Andino and William Moncada.
GOAL: William Moncada (26th), Kenneth Hernández (34th) and Árnold Meléndez (90th).
Coach: Héctor Castellón.
(3) Olympia: Naid Guity; Jamir Maldonado, John Paul Montes, Jose Garcia, Carlos Sanchez; German Mejia, Carlos Pineda, Kevin Lopez, Jose Mario Pinto; Jerry Bengtson (Brian Moya 84′) and Yustin Grove.
GOAL: Carlos Pineda (16′), José Mario Pinto (38′), Jerry Bengtson (53′).
YELLOW: Carlos Pineda, German Mejía, José García
ROJAS: There wasn’t.
DT: Pedro Troglio (sanctioned)
