F.C. Belize gains respect with tie
Having lost 3-nil to the powerful Costa Rican club, Puntarenas, in San Jose, few Belizeans were expecting miracles in the return match at the M.C.C. And while, true to expectations, there was no divine intervention, F.C. Belize managed to gain some respect. James Adderley has the highlights.
James Adderley, Reporting
Even FIFA would have been moved positively by the timely transformation of the M.C.C. Grounds here in Belize City for last night’s second leg clash between Puntarenas of Costa Rica, the defending Central American Football Championship, and F.C. Belize, the national champ.
But pump and circumstances takes a back seat to the confrontation at hand. F.C. Belize in the role of host, finds itself down 3-zip in goal aggregate going into game two. For sure it was not unexpected when Puntarenas comes out fast at the opening whistle, but so did Charlie Slusher.
F.C. Belize had promised in the pre-game hype to offer more offensive pressure, so Deon McCauley fires in response, but it’s right at Shane Orio.
Off this corner kick, F.C. Belize picks up some momentum when the head from Jermoy James finds Thedran Reid, whose quick punch just misses the target.
Still, F.C. Belize has a whole lot resting on the shoulders of Charlie Slusher, and the veteran keeper does rise to the occasion.
And then the dreaded penalty call drops on F.C. Belize some twenty-four minutes in, when Tyrone Muschamp takes down the Puntarenas player looking to strike inside the eighteen.
It’s all up to Charlie Slusher now to keep the dream alive. The left foot burst goes to the left of Charlie Slusher and the goalkeeper dives and digs it out to keep the ballgame scoreless—and yes George, the slo-mo would be in order on this monster move.
Still, sometimes a team needs some luck and F.C. Belize gets one of those moments right here. Just before the second half expires, the dream almost resembles reality when Deon McCauley turns on this ball with left foot power, forcing Shane Orio to come up with a big time save. In early second half, F.C. Belize uses this corner kick to mount this attack on Orio’s goal, but he weathers the storm.
The visitors responsd immediately with this finish that somehow inches outside the sticks. A few minutes later, it’s Charlie Slusher’s turn to go to work again and of course, he does.
This set piece gives Puntarenas another shot at Charlie Slusher, who benefits from the game of inches. People, again the set piece threatens F.C.’s goal, so who you gonna call? Charlie Slusher!
In the end folks, F.C. Belize is able to hold on successfully, defending the home field in a scoreless draw and for that all Belizeans are thankful.
Of course it’s Shane Orio and Puntarenas who do move on in this year’s UNCAF Champions Tournament. James Adderley reporting for News Five.
