BELIZE CITY, Wed. Apr. 13, 2022– After the tragic loss of Belizean lives by accident or gun-shot this past weekend, and the sweeping by Americans of our Women Cross Country Classic on Sunday, Belizeans needed something to celebrate and lift up our spirits; and that we were given yesterday evening with the gallant, against-the-odds victory of our National Women’s Team, who played a “man” short for most of the ninety minutes of regulation but still pulled out a dramatic 3-0 win over Barbados in their last game of the 2022 CONCACAF Women World Cup Qualifiers (CWWCQ) at the Estadio Cuscatlan in San Salvador.   In the 5-team Group D, from which only the group winner would advance to the next round of  the WC Qualifiers, Belize had faced the two toughest opponents in February of this year, losing to #22 ranked El Salvador (6-0) on February 16, and to #8 ranked Panama (8-0) on February 20.

Then last week Wednesday, April 6, at the FFB Stadium, after overcoming a 1-0 deficit early on, Belize Women Jaguars rebounded to secure a 1-1 draw against Aruba, and that left one more Group D game for the Women Jaguars, against Barbados, scheduled for yesterday, Tuesday, April 12.

Over the weekend, both Aruba and Barbados had played their third group match, both having lost their outings against El Salvador and Panama, so there were only two Group D games remaining:  Belize vs Barbados, and Panama vs El Salvador, the latter to decide the winner of Group D.    Going into yesterday’s game against Barbados, as the standings (see below) then showed, Belize could slip down to last place with a big loss to Barbados due to goal difference, or we could climb ahead of Barbados into the third position if we managed to defeat them.

Coming into these World Cup Qualifiers, our Belize Women National Team was ranked #32 among the 41 member countries in Concacaf, while Aruba was at #26 and Barbados at #23.  While winning the group was out of the question, a victory over Barbados would not only improve our position in Group D, but likely would result in a higher ranking in Concacaf and boost the team’s morale in future Concacaf League tournaments.    TNC10 showed the Belize vs Barbados match yesterday evening, and when defender Shante Chacon was ejected early in first half for a hard tackle against a Barbadian forward, our fans were understandably dismayed.  A victory against higher ranked Barbados under any circumstances would be an upset of sorts, but it was a tall task to consider when Belize had to play most of the game with 10 against 11 on the field.  However, in a heroic 3-forward attacking display, where Barbados defenders were often confounded by the speed and dexterity of Belize striker Jayda Brown, our Women Jaguars came away with a 3-0 win, to secure third place in Group D, and serve warning that they are a team on the rise in Concacaf.  (See final Group D standings below.)

Much credit must be given to Belize coach Wayne Casimiro for our team remaining composed during the early adversity and staying cohesive and motivated throughout the match.  All team members, starting eleven as well as substitutes, were proud and courageous ambassadors, and should be loudly applauded on their heroic performance.  

 In the final Group D game following the Belize vs Barbados match, Panama defeated El Salvador, 2-0, at the Estadio Rommel Fernandez in Panama to emerge as Group D winner.

Belize Women Jaguars starting eleven:  goalkeeper – #1 Jasmin Armstrong (#12 Belinda Linarez at 90’+5 due to injury); forwards – #14 Alisha Terry (#10 Khalydia Velasquez at 67’), #15 Shendra Casimiro (#18 Kaite Jones at 75’) and #2 Jayda Brown; midfielders – #6 Ashley Rodriguez, #8 Sabrina Eiley and #17 Jesselle Conorque; defenders – #3 Shante Chacon (red card at 4’), #4 Mikhaila Bowden, #9 Roshanny Narvaez and #16 Valiene Lambert.  Other substitutes – #22 Beatrice Alfaro, #20 Carlene Tillett, #13 Stephanie Barrientos, #7 Florine Vasquez and #8 Tanya Teul.  Head coach – Wayne Casimiro.