_{Photo: Legends’ Jaheim Mena scored 4 goals vs Club Atletico}

by William Ysaguirre

CALCUTTA VILLAGE, Corozal District, Sun. July 28, 2024

Mi Gente FC of Guinea Grass, Legends FC of Punta Gorda, EZ Griga Conquerors and the Terror Squad of San Pedro all qualified to the National Amateur Interdistrict Championship (NAIC) semifinals by aggregate victories in quarterfinals organized by the Football Federation of Belize (FFB) over the weekend.

Mi Gente FC had to go to overtime to prevail, 4-3, over the Calcutta Bulls at the Calcutta field on Sunday afternoon, after a 3-3 draw in their first encounter the week before. Miguel Yco’s brace (31’ & 77’) led Mi Gente’s attack, with Nestor Heredia (35’) adding a 2nd goal to lead 3-2. Joshua Villanueva’s brace (30’ & 90+1’ penalty) led the Bulls’ counterattack, with Jesus Tzul’s injury time (90+2’) strike taking them into overtime. Sixteen-year old Keizer Rodney came off the bench to deliver the winning goal (120+5’).

Legends FC cruised to a 5-0 win to eliminate the defending champions Club Atletico of Belmopan at the Victor Sanchez Stadium on Saturday night. Jaheim Mena exploded on Atletico with a beaver hat trick (31’, 87’, 90’ & 92’) after Zinedine Hines (66’) scored the 2nd goal.

At the Ambergris Stadium on Friday night, Kaeyden Shay Bowen (60’) equalized for the Terror Squad in their 1-1 draw with Conquerors, for whom Brian Chavez (8’) had struck first. Terror Squad advanced by a 5-1 aggregate score.

At the Carl Ramos Stadium on Sunday evening, the EZ Griga Conquerors eliminated Napoles FC of Belmopan, 4-2, in penalties, after a 4-4 draw on aggregate score in regulation. Napoles’ Nigel Carbajal (4’) struck first, but strikes by Jean Serano (5’), Darrol Lambey (46’) and Aaron Estero (57’) gave the hosts a 4-3 lead on aggregate, until Darren Myers’ late penalty (78’) equalized the aggregate score at 4-4.

In penalties, Russel Castillo, Jacinto Bermudez, Aaron Lopez and Leonardo Valdez all scored for Griga Conquerors, but only Colin Moody and Krismar Martinez scored for Napoles.

Thus, Mi Gente will challenge EZ Griga Conquerors in the semifinals, while Legends FC takes on the Terror Squad at fixtures to be decided by the FFB.