Veteran sportscaster, James Adderley recaps the weekend in sports
James Adderley
Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday.
The final schedule in the Belikin Cup for the year 2013 found Police United in action against Paradise Freedom Fighters Saturday night inside the Isidoro Beaton Stadium at Capital City. It might have been billed as a tale of 2 teams streaking in opposite directions, but it’s the Police looking to strike first with this foray into the danger zone by Clifton West that just falls a little short. The Freedom Fighters then look to the set piece for some offense. It’s an out swinger launched by James Logan of the corner kick that gives Alexander Peters this shot at goal but it’s right at goalkeeper, Keith Allen. We’re at the 26th minute when Kafu Roches and Clifton West work the 2 man game to perfection and the heel to Kafu allows him to launch this left foot that gives police the 1-zip lead.
The visitors get the perfect opportunity to tie the ballgame when Keith Allen comes off his line and taps the ball to Alexander Peters who is failed by the left foot and then the Police defense cleans up the play. In the meantime, we must admit Harrison “Kafu” Roches looked like his former self in this one and does his thing to get off this shot but it’s right at the keeper. So we go to 2nd half and this pass from Clifton West in traffic fries up Danny Jimenez who unleashes a most vicious right foot that crashes into the net which gave Police United a 2-zip lead at the 53rd minute.
This pumps up Danny Jimenez so he goes to his favorite spot to launch yet another right foot screamer but this time the ball inches outside the far upright. Frustration ain’t no fun people, when Mario Villanueva looses this ball to Amin August Junior. He takes down the Police player from behind and then boots him on the forehead—thereby conceding a penalty and drawing a yellow card. Amin August Junior steps up only to be denied by goalkeeper, Stephen Polonio. Nevertheless, Police United goes on to post the 2-zip big W for the 1st win in 9 outings. Indeed it’s not what you would expect from a defending champion: 1 win, 5 draws and 2 losses in 8 outings.
In other results from the weekend, the B.D.F. marched over San Ignacio United for a 4-1 victory and Verdes FC crushed FC Belize by that very same score. Thus Verdes leads in the standings showing 17 points with 3 matches remaining; FC Belize is next with 16 points but has 1 more match to play and finds itself in a precarious situation to make the 4 team playoffs. The B.D.F. has 15 points with 2 game remaining, one against the bandits who also have 15 points and the other against the Police. Paradise Freedom Fighters shows 14 points with 1 match remaining. The Police is next with 8 points but has 3 matches remaining while San Ignacio also have 8 points at this juncture with 1 match to go. Thus this weekend’s schedule could well determine who makes the playoffs. Saturday night at Belmopan the Bandits will host the B.D.F. and both teams need the big W. On Sunday 3:30 p.m., San Ignacio United will face Verdes at the Norman Broaster Stadium and a win for Verdes could confirm their next appearance.
Here in Belize City, FC Belize will face Police United in a must win situation at the MCC Grounds. The Police does have a mathematical chance to make the playoffs with 3 matches remaining. Looking ahead folks, the 24th annual New Year’s Day Cycle Classic promises to be a monster. 75 elite and masters are reportedly registered, 28 master 4 and 5 category, 15 juniors and 6 female riders. Going in, David Henderson Junior is the defending champion.
