Players and members of Costa Rica's Saprissa hold up the trophy as they celebrate defeating Mexico's Pumas in the CONCACAF Champions Cup final at the Olympic stadium in Mexico City on Wednesday night. - REUTERS
MEXICO CITY (Reuters):
COSTA RICAN club Saprissa won the CONCACAF Champions Cup despite losing the second leg of the final 2-1 away to Mexico's UNAM to qualify for the World Club Championship in Japan at the end of the year.
Saprissa took the trophy the North, Central American and Caribbean equivalent of Europe's Champions League for the third time 3-2 on aggregate after last weeks' 2-0 home victory.
The club, also winners in 1993 and 1995, is coached by former Costa Rica forward Hernan Medford and owned by flamboyant Mexican businessman Jorge Vergara, who also owns Mexico's most popular club, Guadalajara.
Wednesday night's defeat capped a unhappy opening half of the year for UNAM, who are coached by former Real Madrid and Mexico striker Hugo Sanchez and had made a trip to Japan their priority.
The Pumas, who had won the past two Mexican championships, finished bottom of their group in the Clausura championship and ending Sanchez's much-publicised dream of winning five consecutive titles.
Sanchez joined the protests as furious UNAM players surrounded United States referee Kevin Stott at the end of the match. The official was given a police escort off the field.
The Pumas had several penalty appeals turned down during the game.
Saprissa went ahead after 32 minutes when Ronald Gomez scored with a left-footed shot inside the area from a pass by Alonso Solis.
Veteran striker Joaquin del Olmo pounced on a defensive mix-up to equalise in the 65th minute but, by the time Brazilian Leandro scored again three minutes into injury time, it was too late.
The visitors played the last 18 minutes with 10 men after Alan Aleman was sent off for a foul on del Olmo.
