_{Photo: Belize National Men’s “A” Team – the Jaguars. Front Row (l to r) – Physical Trainer, Aly Diaz; Head Coach, Charlie Slusher; Andir Chi; Orlando Galdamez; Raymond Ramos; Jaheim Mena; Charles Tillett; Gabriel Ramos, Jr.; Jordy Polanco; Nahjib Guerra; Coach Kent Gabourel; Dr. Carlos Crespo. Back Row (l to r) – Jaylen Lennan; Brandon Jones; Ashley Torres; Donnel Arzu; Ashley Torres; Jardehl Muschamp; Earl Dyck; Devin Garbutt; Alden Foreman; Orlando Galdamez; Freybin Pagoada; Michael Palacio; Physiotherapist, Freddo Romero. (Courtesy – William Ysaguirre)}

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos, Wed. Sept. 11, 2024

The Belize Jaguars senior men’s national team are leading their group B with 2 wins in the CONCACAF Nations League C at the TCIFA National Academy Stadium in Providenciales on Tuesday afternoon, September 10. (See standings below.)

Yesterday, Jordi Polanco’s 26th-minute strike from the top of the 18-yard box slipped through the grasp of goalkeeper Jelanie Lawrence to secure Belize’s 1-0 win over Anguilla. Polanco’s 10th-minute header had gone wide, and Orlando Velasquez’s shot from the top of the 18-yard box was a gift for goalkeeper Lawrence. Meanwhile, down at the other end, goalkeeper Charles Tillett came up with 2 big saves to keep Anguilla scoreless.

Gabriel Ramos, Jr.’s left foot volley from the top of the 18 at the 40th minute almost made it 2-0, but Lawrence tipped it over the crossbar. Nahjib Guerra and Jardehl Muschamp also got off shots at goal, but not on target. Overall, Belize got off 15 shots at goal, and maintained possession of the ball for 69 percent of the 90 minutes.

The Jaguars had enjoyed their first win, 4-0, over Turks & Caicos Islands last Saturday, September 7, at the same venue. Nahjib Guerra’s first shot hit the left upright, but his free kick found Orlando Velasquez (12’) whose header just inside the left post was beyond the grasp of the host goalkeeper Samuel Harvey. Coach Charles Slusher introduced Gabriel Ramos, Jr., and Jordi Polanco’s free kick (43’) from the top of the 18-yard box sailed over the wall of defenders and just under the crossbar, beyond the reach of a flying Harvey: 2-0 at the half.

The island hosts conceded a penalty, and Harvey read Mikey Palacio’s intention correctly, but could not reach the ball which Palacio (66’) placed perfectly just inside the left upright: 3-0.

Gabriel Ramos’ cross into the area found Polanco at the right corner of the 6-yard area, and Jordi (73’) controlled and booted it into the left corner of the net to make it 4-0.

Turks & Caicos got their chance to get on to the scoreboard when the Jaguars’ defense conceded a penalty at the 75th minute, but goalkeeper Charles Tillett denied Billy Forbes’ try.

The Jaguars host Anguilla for the return match on Saturday, October 12, and Turks and Caicos on Tuesday, October 15.