Photo: Berger United – BTB U-13 Mundialito Champions 2024
by William Ysaguirre
BELIZE CITY, Mon. Dec. 16, 2024
Photo: Belize United – BTB U-13 Mundialito Sub-Champions 2024
Undefeated Berger United upset the 3x defending champions Belize United, 3-1, to win the 5th Hon. Anthony Mahler Under-13 Mundialito championship finals, sponsored by Belize Tourism Board (BTB) and organized by the Belize District Football Association (BDFA), at the Berger Field in Belize City on Sunday afternoon, December 15.
Photo: Ladyville Rising Stars – BTB U-13 Mundialito 3rd Place; far right, Daniel Smith – Best Coach
In Game 1, the consolation match for 3rd Place, Best Goalkeeper Oren Humes stopped a penalty to lead the Ladyville Rising Stars to a 4-3 win in a penalty shootout against the Reality Youths, after a 1-1 draw in regulation. Kent Noralez (15’) struck first for Ladyville, but Trayvon Brown (35’) equalized for Reality Youths. In penalties, Kent Noralez, Jaheim Kingston and Leon Lord scored for Ladyville, but alas, their 4th kicker sent his kick wide. Trayvon Brown, Gregory Harris and Rayshawn Rodriguez converted for Reality, tying the score at 3-3, but their 4th kicker sent the ball sailing over the crossbar. Humes stopped Reality Youths’ 5th try, and it fell to Zayden Brown to drill home Ladyville’s 4th penalty for the 4-3 win.
In Game 2, the championship final, Berger United won, 3-1, over Belize United with goals by Breylin Middleton (5’), whose shot from a free kick deflected off Belize United defender Zander Castillo into the net, 1-0. Errol Peters’ header into the net (21’) gave Berger a 2-0 lead until Jaime Dominguez (29’) converted a penalty for Belize United to close the gap to 2-1. But it was all over when Khayri Martin (36’) launched a long shot from his own 18-yard line that caught goalkeeper Noe Flores off his line, and the ball sailed in under the crossbar: 3-1, final score.
Photo: (l-r) Ralph Mendoza – MVP & Best Midfielder, Oren Humes – Best Goalkeeper and Khayri Martin – Best Defense
Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations, Hon. Anthony Mahler was on hand to present individual trophies and a team trophy each to the champions, sub-champions and 3rd Place winners in the awards ceremony after the final.
Photo: (l-r) Gregory Harris – Best Forward, (l to r) Kent Noralez & Breylin Middleton – Most Goals and Errol Peters – MVP Playoffs
Individual awards:
MVP Regular Season – Ralph Mendoza (Belize United)
Best Forward – Gregory Harris (Reality Youths)
Best Midfielder – Ralph Mendoza (Belize United)
Best Defense – Khayri Martin (Berger United)
Most Goals (a tie) – Kent Noralez (Ladyville Rising Stars) & Breylin Middleton (Berger United)
Best Goalkeeper – Oren Humes (Ladyville Rising Stars)
MVP Playoffs – Errol Peters (Berger United)
Best Coach – Daniel Smith (Ladyville Rising Stars)
Fair Play award – Phoenix FC