Most people expected a victory for homestanding FC Belize. After all, they had a regular season run of 8-games unbeaten combined with their recent 3-nil victory over Hankook Verdes: the odds appeared to be in FC?s favor. Surprisingly, Marlon ?El Matador? Meza was left out of the Verdes? starting line-up. Either he was being punished for his actions off the pitch or was left out for tactical reasons, I want to believe it was the latter.

FC Belize sports what has to be considered the best defense in the tournament, not to mention goalkeeper. The Hankook Verdes defense was just as impressive. Both teams played so well that it would have been unfair for either of these teams to lose this chess match.

Actual attempts on goal were very limited for both teams throughout the match. The first half was pretty much a toss up except for early in the first half when Hankook Verdes failed to capitalize on two scoring opportunities which stemmed from some errant passes made by FC Belize?s defense.

FC Belize almost took the lead very late in first half. Norman ?Tilliman? Pipersburgh had received the ball outside of the 18-yard box and made a tricky chip pass up front to Jeromy James. As he advanced on the 18-yard boundary, James released a cannonball. But the Hankook Verdes? goalkeeper, William ?Indian? Johnson, made a brilliant save by deflecting the shot out of play for a corner kick.

In the second half Hankook Verdes had the clear advantage in terms of possession. But that was all. Even after Marlon Meza entered the game, they could not score. FC Belize?s defender Jose ?Shaggy? Caseres had to be the player of the match. After the ardous task of marking the cagey Daniel Jimenez, he had to deal with Marlon Meza in the same way. His stalwart play throughout the match was the key reason for Hankook Verdes?s failure to score.

The draw is almost like a victory for Hankook Verdes, who will be at home in the second leg. Unfortunately, they will be without Orlando ?Leech? Jimenez, who was ejected in the 82ndminute of play after receiving 2 yellow cards.

Wagiya FC vs Belmopan Bandits

In the other playoff semifinal match-up yesterday, Capital City?s Belmopan Bandits traveled south for the second week in a row to face the mighty Wagiya FC at the Carl Ramos Stadium. Everyone expected a similar blowout like last week?s 5-1 routing of the Bandits. Even though Wagiya FC defeated the Bandits by the score of 3-1, it was certainly not a blowout in terms of goals.

Belmopan Bandits appear to have a good team, only on paper. Time and time again their big names perform at a sub-par level. Wagiya FC should have gone into a scoring frenzy. Instead, they wasted too many one-on-one opportunities with the goalkeeper. Nevertheless, Wagiya went into the halftime break with the 2-0 advantage from two quick goals by Dean Flowers and Julio Valle in the 20thand 23rdminutes, respectively.

In the 70thminute of play, the lead was extended to three goals when Elroy Smith slammed home a cross from point blank range. Belmopan Bandits finally got a consolation goal in the 84thminute when Lincoln Wiltshire converted a penalty kick.

But that was all she wrote for the Bandits, who may have an even tougher time in the second leg. They will have to do without the services of striker Dion Frazer, who was ejected from the match in the second half along with Wagiya?s Floyd Bailey.

Wagiya FC, incidentally, is now being coached by Jorge Nunez.