Belizean footballers beaten but proud
Good evening I’m James Adderley and we’re certainly happy to roll out this dish of Sports Monday.
So we zoom in on the Reliant Stadium at Houston Texas, United States, where yesterday the Belizean Flag is being raised in support of our National Football Team for game one of their World Cup Qualifying series against the Central American powerhouse Mexico. On this international stage and with fifty thousand one hundred and thirty-seven fans inside the arena Mexico, rated fourteenth in the FIFA World ratings, was not about to be embarrassed by a Belize Team that came in ranked at one hundred and seventy-two. But today Belize comes out to play as this long distance shot deserves notice. However, the Mexicans have total domination of the pill and Belize finds itself on the back heel real early when Diaz Arce tries to open the scoreboard. On this defense stand Harrison Tasher takes down Zinha inside the box but the referee rules he went for the ball. The Mexicans do raid at will while the Belize defense stands firm anchored by goalkeeper Shane Orio as Perez is denied. Guadardo then goes to the long range missile to open the scoreboard and again Orio shines. Torrado gets his chance to display his range on this blast that rises. And now people, the Mexican Team is upset with Diaz Arce when he fails to beat Shane Orio on this open look at goal. At the half, believe it or not, we have a scoreless ballgame between Belize and Mexico.
In the second half Zinha comes out with this shot at goal that forces Orio into a diving save. Guadardo tries to fool the referee on this press but gets a yellow card for what is called on the international scene, diving. Arce gets another good look at goal and again he simply can’t convert. Now folks we’re twenty-one minutes into second half when Mexico comes up with this set piece. Luis Ernesto Perez triggers the spot kick, Orio pushes the ball against the near upright. The rebound reaches Carlos Vela; the visitors take a 1-zip lead. Belize tries to respond immediately. Derys Benavides gets the best look at goal for the home side only to botch the shot. Belize then tries for the equalizer with this spot kick that forces goalkeeper Sanchez to vigorously intervene. Mexico wants more, so Arce sets table for Vela who is stunned when Serano digs out his offering at goal. It’s another set piece for Mexico this time triggered by Arce that almost beats Shane Orio who would emerge as the most valuable player for Belize today. Still it’s Mexico with overwhelming possession of the ball in this match as Arce looks to double the lead. Now you make this call people. Trevor Lennon attacks the ball and brings down Arce inside the eighteen. The referee rules penalty and personally, I vehemently disagree. Of course, the referee has all the say. Borghetti steps up from Mexico and the visitors take the 2-nil victory in game one on a last minute penalty gifted by the referee.
Two points of criticism of the Belize Team: the midfield today was non-existent and the offense was certainly impotent. The scene now shifts to Monterrey, Mexico for Saturday’s game two and you can catch it all live right here on Channel Five.
In other football news, play in the Belize Female Competition over the weekend saw Sugar City Girls blanking Cruz Azul 9-nil. Millennium Girls of Belize City burned Pomona Hidden Treasures 1-zip while Cayo’s Gentle Touch routed Delille Pumas in a 5-1 finish.
Turning to the basketball scene, the Interoffice League staged its All Star show Friday night inside the Civic with Division B edging Division A 70-68 in the All Star match while Kareem Thimbrel of B.E.L. Megawatts slips past Isaac Pasquall of the police to grab the three point shoot out and we say congratulations to Andrew Staine who emerged with MVP honours Friday night. Regular season action resumes tonight with a triple header at the Civic Brodies Milo takes on Belize Telemedia, Tuff e Nuff battles B.H.P.L. and Port of Belize faces G.P.O./Grace Kennedy.
Checking in on the Christian Basketball League, M&M Promise Keepers got 17 points from Andrew Robateau to chase Sandhill spirits 64-51 in game one of the playoffs while in game two Jerome Ellis put up twenty-two points to lead Open Door Saints over Horizon 78-58. The All Star show in this Christian league is set for Thursday June nineteenth at seven-thirty p.m. Big Bird’s Isle. You won’t want to miss it.
In Billboards news, the 2008 National Guiness Nine Ball Pool Tournament is currently in session across the nation and this morning Treasurer Otto Cattouse of the Billiards Association showed up with this trophy which is designed for the overall winners, donated by Butch Fairweather, a Belizean living in the United States.
Otto Cattouse, Treasurer, Billiards Association
“Mister Butch Fairweather has been living in New Yorke for quite a number of years and has been dealing with the Belizean for quite a while, asked me how he could contribute to this tournament we’ve been having for so long. I said probably a most valuable trophy and about a week ago he delivered the trophy. When I saw the trophy I said it’s quite an impressive trophy, I’d love to get it to the media so the players can see what they’re playing for.”
James Adderley
“Bring us up to speed what’s happening in the tournament right now.”
Otto Cattouse
“Well, right now we have all the districts involved from north, south, east and west. Come the last week in August or the first week in September, we’ll have the Nationals which will take place in Corozal. Where all the champs will meet and it’s sponsored by Guiness.”
Finally in cycling news, the Santino three day points tour was said to kick off Friday and conclude on Sunday. Friday’s route takes us from Acros outside Belize City to Hattieville and back for some twenty-six miles. Saturday June the twenty-first, we’ll find the route going from Acros to the Boom junction and back for forty miles and on Sunday it culminates with a fifty-eight mile ride from Armenia to Leslie’s imports just outside Belize City.
Hey folks, that’s our show for today. We certainly invite you back same time, same place, next week. We also invite you to join us for the broadcast of game two between Belize and Mexico come Saturday. Until then take care and remember Jah over all. I’m James Adderley.
