Marco Antonio Figueroa did not hide his confidence after Comunicaciones qualified for the semifinals of Clausura 2026 after beating Antigua GFC 2-0 at the Cementos Progreso Stadium. The Chilean coach was direct when evaluating his team’s options for the next phase. “We are favorites in the semifinals with whoever we get,” stated the Fantasma, making it clear that the comeback against the two-time champion was not a coincidence but the reflection of a team that has grown throughout the tournament under his direction.
Figueroa also took advantage of the press conference to refer to the controversy generated by the non-call of José Manuel “Moyo” Contreras, who announced his retirement from professional football on Friday, May 1. The coach explained that the absence of the historic midfielder responds to physical and not personal criteria. “On the day we were going to travel to Malacatán, José Contreras felt discomfort and since that day he has not trained, so do not make up statements. When a player is fine, he is summoned, I gave him all the support to take him to the bench when he was fine,” Figueroa pointed out forcefully.
The strategist went further and made it clear that his technical decisions are based solely on performance. “I risked relegation without Moyo, I risked going to the semifinals without Moyo, and I respect that a lot. “A player who runs plays, a player who doesn’t run doesn’t play, that’s how I saved Comunicaciones from relegation,” stated the coach, who also revealed that Contreras never personally communicated his decision to retire. “He retired without notifying me, he never told me that he wanted to retire. Maybe he realized that he couldn’t endure the games,” he added.
A locker room that responded
Figueroa also revealed details about the internal dynamics of the locker room and noted that he values direct communication with his players. “I have a great relationship with all the players. “I like them to come to the dressing room to talk,” commented the technician. “Half time we put relegation out of our minds, we got up and now we are a team that can win the title”
The Chilean closed the topic by asking to turn the page and recognizing the history of the historic midfielder. “My respect for him, for the idol he was in the institution, but now, we have to close it, turn the page and move on,” concluded Figueroa, who now focuses all his attention on the semifinals of Clausura 2026 where the cream team already has its ticket secured along with Mixco, which also qualified in dramatic fashion this Saturday after coming back against Cobán Imperial with two goals in the last two minutes.
The other two semifinalists will be known this Sunday with the return matches between Xelajú MC and Marquense at Mario Camposeco at 7:00 PM and Municipal against Guastatoya at El Trébol at 4:30 PM. Depending on the results, Comunicaciones could face Xelajú MC, leader of the Clausura with 39 points, or Mixco who also got the ticket to the semifinals last Saturday.