Photo: Andir Chi of Progresso FC vs Gilroy “Bredda” Thurton of Port Layola FC
Port Layola 2:1 Progresso; Altitude 1:0 Verdes
BELIZE CITY, Mon. Dec. 4, 2023
Facebook rules, and there are no sprawling advertisements of football games in the newspaper, but we still take pleasure in keeping track of the games at the top level of the sport we all love.
The first leg of the home-and-away semifinals of the Premier League of Belize (PLB) 2023-2024 Opening Season were both played on Saturday night; and this coming Sunday afternoon we expect it will be both return matches taking place under sunshine at 4:00 p.m. in San Ignacio and Belize City.
On Saturday night at the M.A. Stadium in Independence, #4 seed Altitude FC lost their captain Delone “Debreezy” Torres to injury but it did not stop them from clinching a 1-nil victory over #1 seed defending champion Verdes FC on an 81st minute goal by young Jardehl Muschamp, son of the great Hilberto “Hilly” Muschamp and a student of the legendary Norman “Tilliman” Nunez.
Meanwhile, up north at the People’s Stadium in Orange Walk, #2 seed Port Layola FC got back-to-back first half goals from leading scorer Gilroy “Bredda” Thurton (27’) and superbly skilled Shawn Young (28’), and it was enough to secure a 2-1 victory over Progresso FC who got a late goal from Jose Velasquez (85’).
The decisive 2nd leg matches are this weekend.
Tentative PLB Semifinal Leg 2 schedule:
Sunday, December 10
4:00 p.m. – Verdes FC vs Altitude FC – Norman Broaster Stadium
4:00 p.m. – Port Layola FC vs Progresso FC – Marion Jones Sports Complex