After a flurry of mid-week games in two consecutive weeks, all of a sudden Week 11 is completed in the Premier League of Belize Closing Season, and only 3 weeks remain in the regular season, which will decide the coveted spot in the CONCACAF Champions League tournament. Belmopan Bandits are the defending champions, having won the Opening Season tournament by a 3-point margin over Belize Defense Force, their nearest rival in the current Closing Season. According to the standings in the present Closing Season at Week 11, the Bandits lead BDF by 6 points, giving them an aggregate lead of 9 points with only 3 games remaining. Theoretically, Bandits can clinch the Champions League berth this weekend.
Only one Saturday night game was played in Week 11, and it was Belmopan Bandits hosting their nearest rivals Belize Defense Force and putting them down, 2-1, at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium. Denmark Casey, Jr. (30’) gave the Bandits the first-half lead. Harrison Tasher (78’) got the equalizer for BDF, but the league’s hottest striker, Deon McCaulay (85’) broke the tie and gave the Bandits the victory with his 8th goal in the last 4 games.
On Sunday, Police United ended their losing streak and their scoring drought with a 4-1 win over home-standing San Ignacio United at the Norman Broaster Stadium. Amin August, Jr. (16’), Lennox “Criminal” Castillo (17’), Orlando “Leechi” Jimenez (33’) and Bernel Valdez (74’) rocked the net for Police; while Garrett Bermudez (90+’) got a late consolation goal for San Ignacio United. Also on Sunday, visiting San Felipe Barcelona burned Placencia Assassins, 1-nil, on their home field in Placencia, with Clifton West (56’) getting the only goal of the game for San Felipe. And at the MCC Grounds in Belize City, Gilroy “Bredda” Thurton (3’ & 48’) struck twice in first half, to lead visiting Verdes FC to a 2-1 victory over FC Belize, whose only goal was by Cristobal Gilharry (63’).
Upcoming Week 7 back match:
Wednesday, April 10
7:30 p.m. – FC San Felipe Barcelona vs Police United FC – People’s Stadium
Week 12 schedule:
Saturday, April 13
7:30 p.m. – Belmopan Bandits FC vs FC Belize – Isidoro Beaton Stadium
Sunday, April 14
3:30 p.m. – FC San Felipe Barcelona vs Belize Defense Force – People’s Stadium
3:30 p.m. – San Ignacio United FC vs Placencia Assassin – Norman Broaster Stadium
4:00 p.m. – Police United FC vs Verdes FC – MCC Grounds