Having moved their home field to Norman Broaster Stadium in the last BPFL tournament they won, and again in the aborted one a couple months ago, it has been a while since Belize City fans saw the 3-peat BPFL champions Belize Defence Force in action at the MCC. And though showing signs of some rust in the early going, the army quickly asserted themselves over their City 1st division opponents, Survivors, to win going away, 7-2. It was a clear case of a semi-pro team versus an up and coming 1st division amateur squad.
The other former BPFL team in the tournament, F.C. Belize has a revamped squad of young players, and have some work to do to approach the semi-pro status they enjoyed in years past. Fans will also note that a number of players in the Champions Cup are also active in the on-going Super League playoffs as well as the Mayor’s Cup in Dangriga. It’s a whole lotta mix-up mix-up in football right now, but fans are still glad for some games in the City on Sunday when City Boys are on the road in the Super League playoffs.
The Belize City Champions Cup kicked off on Friday night, June 24, with two games. In game 1, F.C. Belize shut out Third World, 2-0, on goals by Ivor Ortiz (22 min) and Francisco Diaz (34 min). Game 2 saw West Lake United, recent SMART Challenge Cup 1st division champions, clip Survival, 2-1, with goals from Ralph Flores (3 min) and Leon “Lem” Jones (48 min). Survival’s goal was from the penalty spot (47 min) by Dalton Catetano.
Game 1 on Sunday afternoon, June 26, was a big 5-1 win for Third World FC over Hattieville. Shaking the net for Third World were David “Dav” McCaulay, Jr., with a hat trick (17 min penalty kick, 38 & 83 min); the other 2 goals were by Dion “Pussy” Flowers (32 min) and Alric Smith (39 min).
Game 2 saw BDF bomb Survival, 7-2, with goals from Daniel “Danny” Jimenez (26 min), Neldon Lara (40 min), Luis Mendez (42 min, also an own goal), Denmark Casey, Jr. with a hat trick (54, 76 & 87 min), and Orlando “Leechi” Jimenez (59 min penalty). Survival benefited from the BDF own goal by Mendez along with a strike by Dalton Cayetano (38 min). Notably absent from the BDF line-up was sweeper Vallan Symms.
In the final game last night, West Lake grabbed their second win, to take an early lead in the tournament. They stopped F.C. Belize, 2-1, with goals from Jarret Davis (4 min) and Ralph Flores (80 min). David Ramos got the lone tally for F.C. Belize (78 min).
Games for this weekend:
Friday, July 1
6:30 p.m. – Hattieville vs West Lake
8:30 p.m. – BDF vs Third World