CS Herediano and CD Marathón kicked off their Concacaf Central American Cup Group B campaign with a 0-0 stalemate on Thursday at Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto in Alajuela, Costa Rica.
Herediano had to switch venues because the National Stadium was undergoing pitch maintenance.
The Costa Rican Institute of Sports and Recreation (Icoder) said the grass work was 75 percent complete, including deep aeration and the application of 20 cubic meters of sand.
In the match, Herediano controlled 55 percent of possession and outshot Marathón 11 to 6, with an 83 percent pass completion rate.
Marathón still created danger, especially in the 54th minute when defender Javier Rivera headed wide, registering the game's highest expected goals value at 0.15 xG.
Both goalkeepers made key saves.
Marathón's Jonathan Rougier denied Ronaldo Araya in the 84th minute, while Herediano's Dany Carvajal stopped Yairo Moreno in the 64th.
Moreno was named Player of the Match.
Coach Giacone's Pre-Match Comments
Herediano head coach José Giacone spoke before the match about his team's ambition in the regional tournament.
"What I am clear about is that this group is going to give everything to achieve the goal we have, which is to win it," Giacone said.
"We have prepared well, we have worked a lot, and the group is very committed."
He also confirmed squad availability, noting that Aaron Suárez was cleared to play while Fernando Lesme was ruled out due to an administrative issue.
"Aaron Suárez is now available and Lesme has an administrative issue; for now he cannot be used," Giacone explained.
Discussing squad depth, Giacone said the team has two players per position plus young prospects.
"We have a good squad and a good youth academy, with young boys who are up to the mark," he stated.
Regarding Marathón's recent coaching change, Giacone acknowledged the uncertainty.
"The first thing is that they changed coaches and the first official match will be against us," he said.
"The reference we have is the analysis of the previous tournament and the characteristics of the footballers."
He added that the new coach, Silvio Rudman, has not yet shown his idea because he has not played officially.
Giacone also highlighted the physical traits typical of Honduran clubs.
"Honduran football has always been characterized by having powerful, strong, and fast footballers," Giacone concluded. "Marathón combines those characteristics, in addition to having good foreign players."
Following the draw, Herediano will visit El Salvador's Alianza FC on Wednesday, while Marathón travels to face Belize's Verdes FC on Thursday for their second group stage fixtures.
