Playoffs begin in semi-pro football
Good evening I’m James Adderley and we welcome you to our first edition of Sports Monday for 2003. The Belize Premier Football league kicked off its four-team playoffs over the weekend and it did bring show time to Belize City.
(helicopter landing on field)
No, this is not news of an attack on Iraq or even of a Guatemalan invasion–it’s the latest hype in Belizean football as presented by Kulture Yabra at the M.C.C. Grounds yesterday as the defending champion opened the playoffs against San Pedro Turquoise.
This aerial adventure concludes when the game ball is delivered to the head referee, Belizean flag presented to the City Mayor and the rendition of the national anthem completed.
Now it’s time to forget about the hoopla, the mission today is prime time football, both these teams want to make it to the 2003 finals. For sure, the visitors look dangerous early, that is if they can connect the ball people. Christopher Hendricks continues the island’s attack with this nice service in front of the Yabra goal, but Sanjay Pitts miscues his attempt at intervention.
At the other end, Tyrone Muschamp sets table for Edon “Yellowman” Rawley, but his launch turns out to be a high riser. On this press, Norman “Tilliman” Nunez misplays his rocket launcher, but he misses the target.
Yabra is in control of the action midway through the first half when “Tilliman” looks to give his team the lead, but his left foot kick is denied by the far upright.
Off this press “Yellowman” finds Lyons, but he pill inches outside the sticks. Off this corner kick, Lyons finds Nunez, who heads to Landi Pinelo and Kulture Yabra takes a 1-zip lead.
Just before the first forty-five minutes expires, Yabra has two opportunities to double the lead, but instead come away with a corner kick.
Here’s the launch from “Yellowman” from the corner, Oliver Hendricks gets a head on it, Landi Pinelo dives and finishes as Yabra takes a 2-zip lead to the locker room.
In second half play, San Pedro tries to halve the lead with this punch from outside, but Shane Moody makes a nice save. Talk about digging it out of the goal people. The dread from San Pedro displays what good defence us all about.
Meanwhile folks, on this play “Tilliman” Nunez is taken down by the San Pedro keeper–for which the referee rules penalty. Naturally, Yabra sends for Vallan Symms, who had seven goals during regular session, and scores his first of the playoffs for a 3-zip Kulture lead.
To seal the evening, Landi Pinelo picks up this gift, and goes all the way into the goal to record the derby as Kulture Yabra wins 4-zip in the playoff opener.
In the meantime, the other playoff match Saturday night between Sagitun and Belmopan ended in a 1-1 tie after one hundred and twenty minutes of football. In penalty kicks, Builder’s Hardware Bandits picked up the W on a 4-2 score.
This weekend, Kulture Yabra travels to Builder’s Hardware Bandits, while Sagitun sails to San Pedro.
In closing folks, we want to congratulate Santiago Baizar for his staging of the Kolbe New Year’s football marathon at the Department of Corrections. Six teams participated, and in money time Tango 4 Strikers edged Tango 3 Tigers 2-1 to take the title and Give Leowin Dixon M.V.P. honours.
That’s our show for today, we invite you back same time, same place next week. Jah over all, I’m James Adderley.
