BELIZE CITY, Mon. Sept. 4, 2017–Leaving Belize on Friday morning, September 1, was Belize City female football team, Orchids FC, en route to Managua, Nicaragua to participate in the “Campeonato Interclubes Femenino UNCAF 2017.” The tournament is scheduled to run from September 4 – 9.
The Belize District Football Association (BDFA) representative female team had emerged champions of the Football Federation of Belize (FFB) National Women’s League tournament earlier this year; and today, we were informed by BDFA Chairman, William Moguel, who is presently in Nicaragua with the team, that they had a light work-out yesterday, and are ready to play their first game tonight at 7:00 p.m.
The Chairman provided the following names of players and officials, all Belizeans, comprising the Belize team contingent in Nicaragua:
Female Players – Sarah Arzu (Defense); Kaya Cattouse (Midfield); Jaslyn Cadle (Midfield); Shereen Vasquez (Goalkeeper); Shanell Gentle (Defense); Kara Kisling (Defense); Aracelli Lambey (Forward); Shanay Nasario (Forward); Sherean Tracey (Forward); Wareyni Gillett (Forward); Gianne Cayetano (Defense); Cynthia Salazar (Midfield); Nataki Alvarez (Forward); Kursha Pollard (Midfield); Jinnelle Pott (Midfield); Julie Ramirez (Goalkeeper); Christine Adriana (Midfield); Iamara Baptist (Midfield).
Officials – Henry Gillett (Trainer); Femi Ojo (Custodian); Ryan Simpson (Head Coach); Alice Avila (Female Representative); William Moguel (Manager).
Five Central American countries are represented in the tournament (Guatemala remains suspended from FIFA, and Panama opted not to take part): 2 teams from host country, Nicaragua – UNAN and Aguilas De Leon; and 1 each from Salvador – Leyendas; Belize – Orchids FC; Costa Rica – Moravia; and Honduras – UPN.
The tournament schedule:
Monday, September 4
3:30 p.m. – UNAN (NCA) vs Leyendas (SLV)
7:00 p.m. – Aguilas De Leon (NCA) vs Orchids FC (BLZ)
Tuesday, September 5
3:30 p.m. – Leyendas (SLV) vs Moravia (CRC)
7:00 p.m. – Orchids FC (BLZ) vs UPN (HON)
Wednesday, September 6
3:30 p.m. – Moravia (CRC) vs UNAN (NCA)
7:00 p.m. – Aguilas De Leon (NCA) vs UPN (HON)
Thursday is a rest day; semifinals are on Friday, September 8; and the finals on Saturday, September 9.
According to the Belize delegation head, chairman Moguel, if the Belize team does not make it to the semifinal round, they may return home on Wednesday.
We miss you all; but stay a little longer, if you will, ladies! Go, Belize!! Go deh strong, Orchids FC!!