Photo: Rene Leslie of Altitude FC
BELIZE CITY, Mon. Nov. 28, 2022
It was a 1-1 stalemate yesterday at the Norman Broaster Stadium in San Ignacio, where defending champions, Verdes FC, were held to a 1-1 draw by visiting regular season leader Altitude FC from Mango Creek, Independence, in the first leg of the home-and-away championship finals of the Premier League of Belize (PLB) 2022-2023 Opening Season.
The action was very intense and physical from the opening whistle on a heavy pitch due to earlier rains at the Norman Broaster, and referee Efren Guy had his hands full maintaining control in a game where some players added to his difficulties with well performed theatrics, feigning serious injury to gain the advantage of a free kick and the penalizing of opponents.
Near the end of the first half, Altitude’s right defender Collin Westby was red-carded, but the Altitude squad, under coach Wilmer Avila, retained their composure and battled on with the one-man disadvantage.
It seemed like home standing Verdes would cruise to a 1-nil victory when they took the lead through left side striker Luis Ibarra (71’) from a cross goal ground pass from Jesse August on the right wing that evaded Altitude goalkeeper Oscar Palomino. But second half substitute Rene Leslie brought new energy to the now one-man Altitude forward line, and his efforts were rewarded by a loose ball from an Andres Orozco shot that Verdes goalie Woodrow West couldn’t handle in the fading light, and Leslie pounced on the rolling ball at the edge of the goal box and drained it inside the right goal post; 1-1 ball game at the 78th minute.
Coach David Perez and his Verdes team tried hard to capitalize on their one-man advantage, but Altitude was not giving an inch, as they held on till the long whistle for the 1-1 draw.
In Leg 2 of the Finals next Saturday night in Independence, home standing Altitude FC will again be without the services of defender Collin Westy who will be serving a suspension due to his ejection from game one yesterday.
A champion will be declared in Leg 2 of the Finals this Saturday. And PLB secretary Wilhelm Miguel confirmed today that the “away-goal rule” will NOT be in effect for the Finals. A winner must emerge on the field for the championship; so if game 2 also ends in a draw of any kind, it will be on to overtime, and then penalties if necessary.
PLB Finals Leg 2 schedule:
Saturday, December 3
7:30 p.m. – Altitude FC vs Verdes FC – M.A. Stadium in Independence