Photo: Kaite Jones and Khalydia Velasquez
BELIZE CITY, Mon. Oct. 30, 2023
The question to be answered for most Belizean fans is whether the Lady Jaguars, our 2023 nation female football team, will continue their League C, Group A winning play in tonight’s return match at the Football Federation of Belize stadium in Belmopan against the Turks and Caicos Islands, with another whitewash, thereby preserving Belize’s historic 3-game scoreless streak.
Belize has all but won Group A in the 2023 Concacaf Women’s Road To Gold Cup Tournament even before this evening’s 7:30 p.m. kickoff, having won all 3 of its games, all shutouts, with a 11-0 goals for/goals against record, and 9 points. Another victory would all but ensure that they would finish first in their group.
Their nearest competitor, Aruba beat Bonaire 5-0 in Guillermo Prospero Trinidad Stadium in Oranjestad, Aruba, earlier this afternoon to bring its record in group play to 2 wins, no draws, 2 losses, with 11 goals for and 5 against (GF/GA) for a total of 6 points in their 4 games so far. They will play Belize on December 05 at home at the TCIFA National Academy multi-use stadium in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, having lost to the Lady Jaguars 2-0 at the FFB Stadium on Thursday, September 21.
With the loss Bonaire remains in third place with a record of 1 win, 1 draw, 2 losses (3-9 GF/GA) for 4 points. They are scheduled for a rematch with Belize on November 16 at home at the Stadion Antonio Trenidat, their homefield in Rincon, on the island of Bonaire, having lost 3-0 to the Lady Jaguars at the FFB Stadium on September 25.
The Turks and Caicos have not only failed to win a game but have also failed to score a goal, and have given up 11 goals in their 3 games so far in the tournament, and have only a 0-0 draw (with Bonaire) and a single point to show for their efforts.
Belize’s group play lead and whitewash streak is a historic accomplishment for a Belize female national football team which has never finished other than last, much less won a regional competition
Today’s 3-4-3 line-up featured Jasim Armstrong in goal, leading scorer Mikhaila Bowden (4 goals), Shadette Lino and Vailene Lambert as primary defenders, behind the line of Jennisha Scott, while Captain Sabrina Eiley (2 goals), Roshanny Narvez and Ashley Rodriquez (1 goal) in the midfield behind forwards, Khalydia Velasquez (3 goals), Iamara Baptist, and Kaite Jones.
Substitutes are Elva Nunes and Kenya Perez (strikers); Kelsey Polanco and Ceneia Apolonio (midfielders); Jahnniah Arnold, Shamika Lambey (1 goal), Nigelee Myers, Carlene Tillett and Karisha Coe (defenders); Idania Ruiz and Dennisa Pineda (goalkeepers),
The Lady Jaguars Technical Director (Head Coach) is Wayne Casimiro; Assistants Paul Casimiro and Gabriel Ramos; Goalkeeper coach, Miriam Villamil; Equipment Manager, Kelsie Ciego; Physio, Balyn Gordon; Team Doctor, Shanna Pott; Team Chaperon, Karissa Alvarado.
Referees for today’s Turks & Caicos Islands vs Belize match were: (Head) Karitza Guerra (Honduras), assisted by Katherine Prescod (Panama), and Dina Scoop (Guatemala), with Belkis Flores (Honduras)as the 4th official.
The Match Commissioner is Quetzal Alvarado (Mexico).
Belize’s Lady Jaguars is currently ranked 26th in Concacaf’s 41 teams, Aruba 30th, Turks and Caicos 33rd, and Bonaire 37th.
FLASH: Belize won tonight, 3-0, with goals from Kaite Jones (44’ & 52’) and Khalydia Velasquez (48’).