Rodrigo Ruiz scored in the 83rd minute to give Mexico's Santos Laguna a 1-0 win over San Juan Jabloteh of Trinidad in the first leg of qualifying for the CONCACAF Champions League on Tuesday.
Striker Oribe Peralta made a powerful run into the area and sent a low cross past a diving San Juan goalkeeper Cleon John for Ruiz to tap in from close range and secure the win.
An under-strength Santos enjoyed early opportunities at the Marvin Lee Stadium with attempts from Jose Rodolfo Reyes in the 3rd minute and centre-back Juan Pablo Santiago in the 12th minute both sailing over the crossbar. Santos squandered another chance in the 38th minute when Peralta hit the post.
Jabloteh nearly took the lead in the 58th when Marvin Oliver's deflected shot from the top of the box had Santos goalkeeper Miguel Becerra scrambling to his left before making the save.
The teams meet again in Mexico on Aug. 4 for the second leg of qualifying. The winner will advance to the CONCACAF Champions League group stage.
