F.C. Belize, Hankook Verdes fight to draw
Good evening. I?m James Adderley, and we welcome you to this issue of Sports Monday. The Regent Cup four team play-offs took off this weekend, which brought together two contenders inside the M.C.C. Grounds as F.C. Belize played host to Hankook Verdes of Cayo. It was team number two against team number three.
The last time these two teams met F.C. Belize posted a 3-zip victory. So the Verdes team looks to strike first after all this is the play-offs, but Anthony Gonzalez instead applies for a pilot license.
At the other end Jeromy Jones centres into the danger zone, it is a good one but Shannon Flowers simply can?t come up with the conversion.
On the next possession F.C. Belize tries to capitalize off this set piece triggered by Norman Nunez to Jeromy Jones, but the goalkeeper?s reaction is nothing short of spectacular.
This pumps up the Verdes offence as Daniel Jimenez beats his man to fire this potent grass head burner that inches outside the sticks.
A few minutes later Daniel Jimenez gives Charlie Slusher a test he almost fails?almost being the operative word. At the half we?ve got a scoreless ballgame.
In second half this nice turn by Derys Benavidez gets him a good look at goal but Charlie Slusher is on top of things.
Hankook Verdes continues to push the action after intermission. Right here Derys Benavidez makes the right move but fails to reach the ball in time to make it count.
Again its Verdes pushing for the big w. This time it?s off the set piece as Orlando Jimenez a dangerous low cruise missile around the wall?Charlie Slusher comes up with a big time stop.
F.C. Belize tries to get going by getting table for Norman Nunez. This time the veteran obviously does not get under the ball.
In the meantime the visitors feel they?ve earned a penalty here when Jimenez gets taken down inside the box. But the referee disagrees and at the end of regulation we have a nil-nil score.
Thus draw puts Hankook Verdes in the driver?s seat as both ball clubs battle in this home and away series to make it to the finals.
In the other match-up on the schedule, undefeated Wagiya continued to rule with a 3-1 punch over Belmopan Bandits at Dangriga.
Therefore, this weekend schedule will look like this: F.C. Belize travels to Cayo for game two with Verdes and this time a draw becomes impossible because someone has got to win and move on to the finals.
In other match-up will unfold at Capital City on Saturday night where the Belmopan Bandits must beat Wagiya by a 3 goal margin to advance.
Turning to the basketball scene, things are heating up in the elite over thirty-five competition at big Birds Isle as four teams came out to fight for a play-off.
Friday night we found the Bulls trying to runaway from Early Risers Wheels as Lyn Young throws up this deuce. This steal then leads to the easy two for Lyn Young who would finish with ten points.
Winston Pipersburgh then comes into the ballgame to hit the raise up jumper. He would finish with eight points.
At the other end Glen Arzu freezes his man to lay it off the backboard for two. He would lead the Wheels with the game high of fourteen points.
Arzu comes right back to get two more points, but he would need a lot more help. Bulls go on to post the 57-43 victory.
In the night cap, Albert Hawks faced off against the Belmopan Bandits and Angus Cherrington gets his team off quickly with this rebound and the pull-back.
Vince ?the Postman? Estrada then strikes for three; he would lead all scored with twenty-six points.
Albert Hawks would go on to post the 79-69 win and take their season record to an impressive 5 & 0 showing. This puts the Hawks into the play-offs as the number one seed with ten points. The only team to make the play-offs. All other teams are vying for a spot at this point. The Bulls show 7 points, both Kulture Builders and Belmopan Bandits have amassed 6 points each, while Fayah Haat Carnation and Early Risers Wheels are locked at 5 points a piece.
Only four teams make it to the play-offs. This Thursday night Bulls take on Carnation and Builders will see action against Wheels. The play-offs will get underway on Saturday.
Finally folks we would like to say congratulations to Cayo who defeated Stann Creek 25-18, 25-18 to grab the national female volleyball primary school title. Of course on male division Toledo rolled pass Cayo 25-19, 25-23 and we say congratulations to both champions. We also say congratulations to Katarina Gotz of Toledo who emerged the female M.V.P. and her male counterpart turned out to be Earl Lambey of Toledo. Congratulations to one and all.
Hey folks, that?s our show for tonight. We certainly invite you back same time, same place next week. Jah, over all I?m James Adderley.
