BELIZE CITY, Mon. Apr. 3, 2023
One back match remains to complete Week 11, and the race to the Top-4 playoffs is looking really tight in the Premier League of Belize (PLB) 2022-2023 Closing Season. Just a couple weeks ago Belize City fans were sitting pretty with their Port Layola FC looking like a sure thing for the playoffs. But an unfinished encounter with Verdes, and then a loss to Police/Benque United yesterday at the Marion Jones Sports Complex, and suddenly Port Layola is hanging on to fourth place in the standings, while the surging Progesso FC is making a strong statement in the third position. San Pedro got a free 3 points on the default win over Bandits/International who failed to appear for their March 18 (Week 10) match at the Ambergris Stadium. The points are not a problem for the Pirates, who were almost guaranteed a win against the struggling Belmopan squad; but unfortunately for the Pirates, it is an opportunity lost for their number one striker Howard Avila who is currently second in the goal scoring race with 6 goals. Port Layola’s Michael Palacio leads all scorers with 8, and it could have been 9, except that their 2-1 win against Verdes in Week 3 was cancelled due to an official infraction. It’s always regrettable when a team forfeits, as the other team also may have scored more than the 3 goals allotted automatically for the win, which might affect their goal difference if the race to the playoffs comes down to that. Thankfully for the Pirates, with only 3 games remaining on their schedule, they are in a very strong position to secure a playoff berth. (See latest standings below.)
In Week 11 matches over the weekend, on Saturday night at the Ambergris Stadium, San Pedro Pirates FC was held to a 2-2 draw by defending champion Altitude FC who are slowly creeping into contention. Rookie Andir Chi (48’ & 75’) struck twice for the Pirates, while Altitude got a goal apiece from Kyle Flowers (23’) and Aloisio Teixeiria 71’).
On Sunday at the People’s Stadium in Orange Walk, it was scoreless in first half, but home standing Progresso FC kept their playoff hopes alive with a 2-0 victory over cellar dwellers Bandits/International, courtesy of a goal each from Jonard Castillo (47’) and Kyle Budna (58’).
Meanwhile, at the Norman Broaster Stadium in San Ignacio, Verdes FC cruised to a comfortable 4-0 win over struggling Wagiya SC. Verdes got 2 first half goals from young Desmond Wade (23’ & 39’) and added 2 more goals in second half from Joel Burgos (52’) and Camilo Fajardo (76’).
Finally, also on Sunday, the on-field undefeated streak was finally broken for Port Layola FC, as they fell 1-0 to visiting Police/Benque United FC in front of their home fans at the Marion Jones Stadium. Carlton “Fubu” Thomas burned Port Layola at the 19th minute, and the visitors defended the 1-nil lead all the way to the long whistle.
Port Layola gets a chance to redeem themselves and climb back up in the standings when they face Verdes FC in their rained-out back match on Wednesday of this week. A victory for Verdes would catapult them into first place in the standings after San Pedro managed only a draw in their last outing.
Upcoming games:
Wednesday, April 5 (Wk. 10 back match)
7:30 p.m. – Port Layola FC vs Verdes FC – Marion Jones Stadium
Week 12 schedule:
Saturday, April 8
7:30 p.m. – Altitude FC vs Port Layola FC – M.A. Stadium in Independence
7:30 p.m. – Police/Benque United vs Bandits/International – Marshalleck Stadium
7:00 p.m. – San Pedro Pirates FC vs Verdes FC – Ambergris Stadium
Sunday, April 9
4:00 p.m. – Wagiya SC vs Progresso FC – Carl Ramos Stadium