The two former BPFL champions, BDF and F.C. Belize were considered shoo-ins to the championship finals in the early going of the newly inaugurated Belize City Champions Cup tournament. Though missing former starters Evan Mariano (forward), David Trapp (midfielder), Vallan Symms (captain/sweeper) and Woodrow West (goalkeeper), who have been dedicating their time to the FFB’s “national” team, the BDF squad was still able to cruise through the early regular season undefeated until they collided with the upstart West Lake, and lost a burning 1-nil. And there were other notables missing from the BDF line-up, like defenders Tyrone Pandy and Khalil Velasquez, and all-around “hit man” Erwin “Bird” Flores.
But after a single round robin season, the semifinal playoffs would be a one-game knockout, so BDF coach Gregory “Paisa” Cantun went for all his “guns” on Sunday, August 7, to try and get past F.C. Belize. Except for West, Symms, Mariano and David Trapp, the BDF squad was all there, and they looked like they meant business, though coach Cantun didn’t immediately activate all the stars who had been away from the team during the season. It was a good plan; you need to acknowledge the efforts of other team members who had carried the torch all season long. But if necessary, the heavy artillery was there on the bench.
And it all seemed to work to plan. BDF started former Verdes national champion goalkeeper Jamie Brooks in goal; in defence, from left to right, were Victor Nunez, stopper Neldon Lara, sweeper Allan Ponce, and Michael Martinez; left midfielder Everald Trapp; central midfielders Orlando “Leechi” Jimenez and Denmark Casey, Jr.; right midfielder Paul Nunez; forwards Richard “Cheety” Jimenez and brother Daniel “Danny” Jimenez. And it was enough for the army to jump out to a commanding 3-nil first half lead. Game over? Not at all.
For their part, F.C. Belize had started Elroy “Zabble” Rowley in goal; Honduranean Jorge Estrada on left defence; all-around talent Byron “Barrow” Usher starting at stopper in front of sweeper Chris Gilharry; small but resilient Ryan Gill on right defence; prime amateur prospects Francisco Briceno and David “Yankee” Ramos along with tall Nigerian Davison Morrison and former striker Delwin Jones in midfield; and Marlon Clarke beside talented rookie Gilroy “Bredda” Thurton as twin strikers.
Everything seemed to go wrong for F.C. Belize in first half; and everything right for BDF. Danny Jimenez was creating havoc on the right side, and, after a series of moves near the right goal line in front of the “ragamuffin” bleachers, he eluded defender Jorge Estrada and sent a sharp grounder across goal, to be easily slammed home by brother Cheety coming hard on the left side. 1-nil, BDF at the 15th minute. F.C. Belize responded with a midfield change – Luis Sebastian for Morrison at the 33rd minute, but to no avail. Denmark Casey, Jr. sent a swerving right foot center from the left side about 40 yards out, and it was misjudged by everyone, including defence and goalkeeper, and instead of going off, it bounced into the right corner past a last minute diving Zabble. And to top it all off, at the 45th minute, Leechi rose high above the F.C. Belize defence for a header towards the left side of the goal box, and advancing Everald Trapp met it on the volley with a low left-foot blast into the right corner past a helpless Zabble in goal. 3-nil, BDF.
It seemed to be all over for a frustrated F.C. Belize squad in the half-time huddle, with verbal sparks flying among some teammates. Coach Anthony “Willie Bo” Bernard made two desperate changes, his last two, bringing in Delroy “Tin Man” Andrews to replace Marlon Clarke in the forward, and Tyrone Linares for Jorge Estrada in defence.
Early in second half, a light of hope shone for F.C. Belize. After Francisco Briceno’s long center from the left side saw BDF goalie Jamie Brooks go high in heavy traffic to punch out the ball, it was received just outside the top of the 18 box on the chest of Bredda, who then lifted a right-foot volley that seemed to be heading off, but instead it sank into the right pigeon hole, as Jamie recovered his footing and dived in futility. 3-1 the score at the 52nd minute. And quickly, 5 minutes later at the 57th minute, it was 3-2, as Barrow launched a rocket from the left side in the fading light at the MCC.
This was too much. BDF coach Cantun was taking no chances. Immediately he went for defender Tyrone Pandy, of all-Belize credentials, to replace Victor Nunez; and 4 minutes later he followed with Erwin “Bird” Flores for Paul Nunez, bringing back Cheety in midfield, and sending Bird into the top of the attack along with Danny.
Then a mishap occurred, which may be due to the unfamiliarity of some members of the BDF defence. F.C. Belize midfielder Francisco Briceno’s center from the left side saw two retreating BDF defenders colliding with advancing goalie Jamie Brooks, and the ball just bounced past them all into the open net; 3-3 tie at the 63rd minute. And just like that, F.C. Belize was back in the ball game.
Their chemistry not yet perfect, having not all played together for some time, the BDF warriors were not about to retreat. Leechi Jimenez’ corner from the right side saw brother Cheety getting an expert head on the ball to “splice” it down into the left corner past everyone for his second goal. 4-3, BDF in front again at the 78th minute. And Paisa immediately moved to seal the victory, bringing in his “rock of Gibraltar” Khalil Velasquez to replace sweeper Allan Ponce.
It should have been over, but somebody forgot to tell Bredda. After a series of “shake and bake” moves near the eighteen on the right side, Bredda finally created space along the right goal line and sent a hard grounder across goal for an advancing Byron Usher, who made no mistake, driving home his second goal of the match. 4-4 ball game at the 85th minute; and it stayed that way till the end, and through the 15-15 injury time.
Zabble owns the northern goal in penalties at the MCC; and his confidence beamed. A week earlier, following the regular season ending 0-0 draw between F.C. Belize and BDF, he had taken on a bet with West Lake striker Jarret Davis, who had bragged he could score five straight on Zabble. Zabble stopped the first one, to win the bet.
Holding the ball at the penalty spot to greet his opponent before each kick, Zabble may have intimidated a few of them. Only veteran Orlando “Leechi” Jimenez, who started the penalty shootout, made good on his attempt against Zabble. Jamie then stopped F.C.’s Chris Gilharry. But the next three BDF kickers failed – Tyrone Pandy kicked wide to the right, and Zabble stopped both Danny and Bird; while rookie David “Yankee” Ramos, Byron “Barrow” Usher and Delroy “Tin Man” Andrews were all successful for F.C. Belize, who claimed the 3-1 penalty shootout victory and a place in the finals.
Gracious in defeat, it was nevertheless a shocking loss for BDF; but there was nothing to be ashamed of. It was a hell of a ball game. And the consensus of fans in attendance was that, indeed, this WAS the championship game, as these two demonstrated they are the best teams in the competition. Of course, West Lake will want to say a few things about that come Sunday, August 14 at the MCC Grounds.