Photo: Altitude FC celebrate PLB Championship at Isidoro Beaton Stadium

BELIZE CITY, Mon. Dec. 12, 2022

The recent penalty shootout dramas at the FIFA Qatar World Cup was taken to another level in our own Premier League of Belize (PLB) 2022-2023 Opening Season championship last night at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium in Belmopan, where the penalty shootout, which followed a 1-1 draw in regulation and overtime (it was the same 1-1 score in the 1st leg), ended up with regular season leader Altitude FC prevailing in “sudden death” after each team had taken a total of thirteen (13) penalty kicks. Altitude FC from Mango Creek, Independence, are therefore the new national football champions of Belize, with 3-time champions Verdes FC now being the sub-champions.

After game 1 had ended in a 1-1 draw in San Ignacio on Sunday, November 27, game 2 was scheduled for Altitude’s home town of Independence last week Saturday night, December 3, but torrential rains caused a one-week postponement. And with more rains forecasted this past weekend, both teams agreed to transfer the final match to the weather resilient field in Belmopan, where the tournament culminated last night, Sunday, December 11, at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium.

We have not yet received the league’s official report on the match, but on TNC10 last night it showed a 1-1 score in regulation and after the 15-15 overtime period. And the penalty shootout certainly broke some PLB records.

After 10 kicks by each team, they were still tied at 9 goals apiece. (Altitude rookie Jardehl Muschamp’s attempt had been stopped by Verdes’ goalkeeper Woodrow West; and Verdes’ Trimayne “Peppa” Harris had kicked over the cross bar.) Altitude had kicked first, and their 11th kicker, captain Dalton Eiley, with his right knee bandaged and limping slightly, kicked over the goal, and was in obvious physical and emotional pain afterwards. Verdes’ young striker Krisean Lopez had a chance to win it for his team, but his well-placed shot was stopped by a diving Altitude goalkeeper Oscar Palomino. (Both team goalkeepers, West of Verdes and Palomino of Altitude had successfully converted their kicks from the penalty spot.)

So, with the team rosters exhausted, it was back to the first kickers on each 11-man roster. Baaka (Luis Torres) again converted for Altitude; and so did Verdes’ Christian Ramirez. 10-10 was the score. Then Altitude’s and PLB’s regular season leading goal scorer Andres Orozco made it 11-10 for Altitude; and Verdes’ Trimayne “Peppa” Harris had a chance to make up for his previous missed penalty where he had kicked over the goal to the left side. This time, Peppa went right, but again it was over the cross bar, to his devastation and disappointment, and the tremendous relief and exhilaration of the Altitude team members and many fans who had travelled with them from Mango Creek. Altitude wins on penalties, 11-10.

Team and individual champion and sub-champion trophies were issued immediately following the match; and the individual awards will reportedly be delivered at a season ending PLB “Gala Event” at a date to be announced.