Belize outgunned by Canada…twice
We all knew the score almost as soon as the game finished Sunday afternoon: four-nil. What we did not get is feel for, however, was how the World Cup qualifying match between Belize and Canada was actually played. Tonight, having just received the tape via FedEx, James Adderley shares the highlights.
James Adderley, Reporting
The adventure to Canada by the National Football Team has been highly covered by the local media but without pictures; as if to highlight the difference between a first world programme and that of a third world country.
Nevertheless, the ?Sub Umbra Floreo? flutters majestically for all the world to see as our best football players pledged to do their best on the pitch in defence of the jewel. And you?d better Belize it, we have Belizeans representing in the stands at Kinston, Ontario even though they?re domiciled inside New York, U.S.A. As expected it?s the Canadians roaring out of the box, attacking with this swing from off the left wing but Shane Moody intervenes. The very next possession finds the host team looking for the quick lead off this vicious header that crashes against the crossbar.
In terms of possessions, it?s all Canada at this juncture as Belize displays a defensive mode under the onslaught from the host team. In other words, Shane Moody is actually the busiest man on the pitch toady and he does what he has to do. Belize finally gets a chance at goal when Vallan Symns launches this spot kick that rebounds for the opportunity, but the kick has no punch to penetrate.
Deon ?Pussy? Flowers decides to mount this attack and he provides Belize with some offence, although it raises over the crossbar. Edon ?Yellowman? Rowley then fires this long-range distance left foot, but again it?s a high riser.
Just before the half, the Canadians finally break through when Paul Peschilsolido pushes the pill pass Shane Moody and it?s a 1-zip lead at intermission after Canada has shone nine shots on goal to Belize?s three.
In the second half, it quickly becomes obvious that the Canadians remained the protagonist today and this defensive error almost gives them their second goal of the ball game. However, downfield Belize finds itself with numbers inside the box?Robert Muschamp gets this chance to lift the pill over the keeper, instead he slams it into the keeper?s chest.
Nine minutes into the half, Radzinsky picks up the pieces off the corner kick and the host team doubles its lead just like that. Meanwhile folks, when Dwayne De Rosario turns on this ball, Shane Moody dives to deny him a goal. Of course, when the Guatemalan referee Carlos Batres deems Orlando Lyons is not fouled on this crucial play, we hope it?s an isolated mistake. Radzinsky looks for his second of the match with this left foot bomb that ricochets off the crossbar.
Goal number three comes at the seventy-fifth minute off this set piece that finishes with this header from Kevin McKenna who gets onto the scoreboard.
Belize gets its best scoring opportunity when this ball is filtered to Robert Muschamp who raises it over the goal.
At the eighty-third minute, the fourth and final goal of the ball game comes off the boots of Jim Brennan as Canada grabs the 4-zip win in game one in a ball game they thoroughly dominated.
Meanwhile folks, game two should be concluding right now as we spoke and as soon as we get the stats we will pass it on. Of course, win, loose, or draw I am a Belizean and I know you are too.
This is James Adderley Reporting for News 5.
In news of game two of the series, also in Ontario, an internet account of the action puts the final score at Canada four, Belize zero.
