BELIZE CITY, Mon. Sept. 5, 2016–The Premier League of Belize (PLB) Opening Season 2016-2017 tournament completed Week 3 games over the weekend, and the young Wagiya FC team from Dangriga has taken over the lead in the standings, while former leader Placencia Assassins FC suffered their first defeat. (See standings below.)
On Saturday, starting at 3:30 p.m. at the Norman Broaster Stadium in San Ignacio, Police United FC registered their first victory of the tournament, as they dealt a 3-1 beating to visiting Freedom Fighters FC from Punta Gorda, all goals coming in the first half. Shaking the net for Police United were Mailson Moura (2’), Devon Makin (30’) and Danny Jiminez (47+’); while Jarren Lambey (18’) scored for Freedom Fighters. (This game was televised.) Later, on Saturday night at the Michael Ashcroft Stadium in Independence, it remained scoreless until late in second half, when Marlon Meza (83’) hit the target for visiting Belmopan Bandits FC, to give them the 1-nil win over home standing Placencia Assassins FC, who suffered their first loss of the competition.
Both Sunday games were at 3:30 p.m. At the Carl Ramos Stadium in Dangriga, Wagiya FC crushed the visiting Orange Walk FC, 6 goals to 2. Sharing the scoring for Wagiya were Krisean Lopez (29’ & 63’), Harrison Tasher (67’ & 92’), Ernest “Dubu” Flores (43’) and Jacinto “Fowl” Bermudez (83’); while both Orange Walk goals were by Alexis Hernandez (52 & 67’.) Meanwhile at a televised game out west at the Norman Broaster Stadium, all 3 goals came from set pieces, as visiting FC Belize prevailed 2-1 over Verdes FC. Floyd Jones’ (23’) high free kick from the top of the eighteen somehow slipped through the fingertips of Verdes veteran goalie Jamie Brooks under pressure from advancing FC Belize strikers. But Verdes’ veteran captain Rodney “Shamir” Pacheco (60’) returned the favor, after midfielder Mark “Kelo” Leslie had taken down Orlando “Leechi” Jimenez at the edge of the eighteen with a dangerous tackle. Shamir’s right foot lob was picture-perfect in the right top corner, out of reach of a diving Elden “Bleaky” Linares in goal for FC Belize. The tie-breaker came in second half, when Kelo’s high free kick from the left side rebounded to the feet of an aggressively advancing Hubert Baptist (60’) who drove in what proved the game winner for FC Belize.
Upcoming Week 4 schedule:
Saturday, September 10
7:30 p.m. – Placencia Assassins FC vs FC Belize – Michael Ashcroft Stadium
Sunday, September 11
3:30 p.m. – Orange Walk FC vs Freedom Fighters FC – People’s Stadium
3:30 p.m. – Wagiya FC vs Police United FC – Carl Ramos Stadium
3:30 p.m. – Verdes FC vs BDF FC – Norman Broaster Stadium (TV)
(Belmopan Bandits FC – Resting)
CONCACAF Champions League
Next week Tuesday, September 13, Mexican champions Pachuca FC visits Belize for their CONCACAF Champions League return match with Police United FC.
Return to PLB Opening Season
Nevertheless, the PLB Opening Tournament does not skip a beat, as next weekend will see a return to action with Week 5 games.
Looking ahead to Week 5:
Saturday, September 17
3:30 p.m. – BDF FC vs Freedom Fighters FC – MCC Grounds (TV)
Sunday, September 18
3:30 p.m. – Orange Walk FC vs Belmopan Bandits FC – People’s Stadium
3:30 p.m. – Police United FC vs Placencia Assassins FC – Norman Broaster Stadium (TV)
3:30 p.m. – FC Belize vs Wagiya FC – MCC Grounds
(Verdes FC – Resting)