HEREDIA, Costa Rica – Yendrick Ruiz scored a pair of goals to lead Herediano to a 2-0 win over Arabe Unido in their 2018 Scotiabank Concacaf League semifinal first leg on Thursday night at the Estadio Eladio Rosabal Cordero in Heredia, Costa Rica.

Herediano started strong and was rewarded in the 28’ when a cross from Jimmy Marin struck the hand of Arabe Unido DF Chin Hormechea in the area, earning the hosts a penalty.

Two minutes later Ruiz stepped forward and converted from the spot to make it 1-0 to Herediano.

Arabe Unido looked to strike back after halftime and Faber Gil nearly pulled the visitors level, but his shot was cleared off the goal-line.

Just when it looked like the visiting Panamanians would return home with a manageable 1-0 deficit, the Costa Ricans struck with just seconds on the clock, as Alberth Villalobos sent in a cross from the right that was headed in by Ruiz in the 90+3’ to complete the 2-0 scoreline.