_{Pirates celebrate, (l to r) Henry Bejerano, Keydenshay Bowen, Brayan Vargas, Jose Chimal, Jaheim Mena, Tyrese Augustine, Moises Hernandez.}

by William Ysaguirre (Freelance Writer)

BELIZE CITY, Sun. Apr. 13, 2025

The San Pedro Pirates will challenge Verdes FC in the upcoming Premier League of Belize (PLB) 2024-2025 Closing Season football finals, after they sacked the defending champions, Port Layola FC, 4-2, at the Marion Jones Sports Complex on Sunday evening, April 13, to advance to the final with a 5-3 aggregate score after their 1-1 draw with Port in the first leg of the semifinals the week before in San Pedro. It was Port Layola’s first defeat in this Closing Season, as they saw their hopes for a three-peat championship dashed in front of their home fans in a shocking turnaround after they had enjoyed a comfortable 2-nil lead near the end of first half.

_{Sweeper Bryan Chavez scored Pirates’ first goal in both semifinals.}

Colombian import Andres Orozco (24’) and Mikey Palacio (33’) had given the city boys a 2-0 lead, and Gilroy “Bredda Laing” Thurton and Latrell Middleton pressed for more goals, supported by Miguel Garcia and Jarrel Young at midfield. Devon Makin anchored the Pirates’ defense, with Leroy Arzu, Gabriel “Ramito” Ramos, Jr. and Louis Valdez to help goalkeeper Selvin Sagastume concede no more goals, and Bryan Chavez (45+2’) reduced the deficit with a header to finish a corner kick just before half time.

_{Pirates’ Keydenshay Bowen golazo equalizes 2-2 vs Port Layola}

After the break, it was all Pirates, as coach Ada Cordova refreshed her attack lineup with Tyrese Augustine and Engelbert Samuels replacing Jose Chimal and Vargas, while Henry Bejerano and Karon Jimenez relieved Ramos and Makin on defense. Rookie Keydenshay Bowen (47’) stunned Port’s Argentine goalkeeper Leonardo Paz with a 30-yard rocket volley that screamed in under the crossbar to the far left upright for the equalizer: 2-2. Jaheim Mena (62’) recovered the rebound when Paz rejected a shot from Bowen to find the back of the net: 3-2.

Port’s technical director Marvin Ottley introduced Shawn Young in a vain attempt to regain the initiative, but to no avail. Port’s captain Jarret Davis brought down Bryan Vargas with a hard tackle on the touchline, but not before Vargas had served the assist across the mouth of the goal for Bowen (80’) to shoo the ball into the net near the right upright: 4-2.

In the other PLB semifinal, Verdes FC secured their berth in the finals, by a 4-0 drubbing of Progresso FC at the Marshalleck Stadium in Benque Viejo on Saturday night, keyed by Desmond Wade’s brace (2’ & 9’) and other goals by Alence Ayala (87’) and Krisean Lopez (90’). Verdes ended with a 5-0 aggregate score after winning, 1-0, in the first leg of their semifinal series.

_{Ada Cordova – Pirates’ First PLB Female Coach}

It has been a historic first season for the PLB’s first female coach, Ada Cordova, who holds a “B” coaching license from FIFA.

The Pirates will host the “Green Machine” for the first leg of the finals at the Ambergris Stadium on Holy Saturday night, April 19.