Weekend sports with James Adderley
Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday. While the World congregates at France trying to determine who’s number one in football here in the “Jewel” in Central America the B.F.L. tries to answer that very same question in its Knock-Out Football Tournament.
At center stage it’s Nelson Moss of Real Verdes greeting Freddie Tun of Juventus at Orange Walk to commence the hostilities inside the People’s Stadium. Of course you wouldn’t know it from the empty stands, which for Sugar City is a big surprise and maybe they knew something we didn’t. Could be the lethargic start of both ball clubs as 14 minutes deep we have to go to this spotkick from Freddie Tun for a highlight – which wakes up both Darren Hinds and our cameraman George Tillett.
This gets Marcelino Tun started and normally the striker would count this set but not today. For Verdes, they finally go offensive when this corner kick forces Charlie Slusher into a high wire act but he’s used to it. New comer Aaron Lucario is no Denis Benhamp on this right away bomb, but he’s the Verdes rookie. At the other end Marcelino Tun goes one and one with Darren Hinds but the moment is not his to define. Then Esteban Hall fires this spotkick at Hinds who does take control of it and you don’t need Columbus to tell you at the half it’s a scoreless ball game.
In second half the action picks up, Verdes goes to Lucario, the rookie goes to the goal and the execution goes away. Juventus comes back with Esteban Hall who finds an acrobatic shot. It’s some 22 minutes deep when Esteban Hall dishes to Dean Flowers who smashes the pill home for a Juventus 1-zip lead. But Verdes fights back the floater to Earl Peters and a cruel header ties the game at 1 a piece. Real Verdes goes for the win here but it’s Charlie Slusher who winds up with a ball maybe he shouldn’t have. When you sleep you weep people – the game winner comes from Freddie Tun and it’s a vicious left foot that tangles in the net and yes, Juventus wins game 1 at 2-1.
Game 2 comes up this Sunday at San Ignacio.
Q: “For a while back there it did look like Real Verdes was playing the better football in this ball game. What happened to turn things around so rapidly?”
Rene Montero, Real Verdes
“Yes, I think this is how the game goes sometimes. You come out with a strategy: we were waiting for the Juventus, for the time to kind of counter attack. Then all of a sudden just one second you lose concentration and things happen and that’s where Juventus was able to capitalize on 2 goals. We lost concentration for just a while.”
Q: “It’s the first game of a championship series, what would you suggest be done differently after this particular result?”
Rene Montero
“Okay, like how we’re going back home we have no other choice but to come out offensively. It’s a must win game for us if we want to force a third game. We have to go all out next Sunday in San Ignacio and do our best and win.”
J.A.
“This is the first ball game I have seen Juventus win and not played the best ball on the field between the two teams out there today. “
Freddie Tun, Juventus
“Well James, the game wasn’t a good game for us, no. The fans wanted us to win by a bigger margin but this result here is kind of good, 2-1, no. But nonetheless we’re going next week there in Cayo and try to win Verdes by a clear margin.”
Q: “Do you have any fear after having seen the way that the Real Verdes team played at the Juventus field today?”
Freddie Tun
“No, Verdes came all out here today and I know that Sunday they will be playing on their field and that they are going to come all out. They think they could win us and it’s not impossible no, but we’re gonna go there also to win this game.”
Turning to the volleyball scene in the opening ticket of the Belize Volleyball Division one and firms, Lady Jaguars got past BH Paint Stars in two straight sets 15-08, 15-11. On the firm side it was Belize Bank shooting down Barclays Eagles 21-14, 21-09. In the male nightcap Jaguars needed 3 sets to get the job done but they did it getting past Pepsi/American Eagles 08-15, 16-14, 15-09.
In closing tomorrow night brings up the ring ceremony at the City Centre as Belize rewards its CARICOM basketball teams. Randy Brown of the Chicago Bulls will be in town and of course we’ll keep you posted as this matter develops.
That’s it. Jah over all. I’m James Adderley.
