Suga Boys Juventus vs Adventures FC
Last Saturday night at the People’s Stadium in Orange Walk, Suga Boys Juventus and Adventures FC saw their action after getting automatic bids to the second round of the tournament.
Suga Boys Juventus were in a festive mood and took advantage of the visiting Adventures FC from Cayo with a 3-1 victory. However, the score does not accurately reflect what transpired on the field.
For the young Adventures FC, this was somewhat like an initiation into the big leagues, going up against some seasoned semipro players. Oliver Hendricks scored twice for Suga Boys, in the 6th and 34th minute of play. Juventus’ Jason Hall also scored in the 19th minute of play.
Going into the second half and trailing by 3 goals, the young Adventures decided to go for broke. But they failed to convert on several scoring opportunities as the Suga Boys successfully defended their home turf. Adventures’ only consolation goal came in the 85th minute of play, when Eric Guzman slammed home the rebound from a previous shot.
Alpha vs Lake I
Sunday, Christmas Eve, the venue was once again the People’s Stadium, where Alpha played host to Lake I from Belize City.
This was an exciting and intense battle with both teams unwilling to give in to the other. By the sound of the final whistle, Lake I emerged victorious by the score of 1-0. The goal came in the 86th minute of play. David “Manu” McCaulay made a pass to Randolph “Panta” Hinks, who took a blast from deep inside the 18-yard box. Unfortunately for veteran Alpha goalkeeper, Charles Slusher, the ball took a nasty ricochet off one of his defenders and into the goal.
Santels vs Hankook Verdes
Last Sunday at the Norman Broaster Stadium in San Ignacio, Cayo, football fans alike witnessed a classic derby match-up between semipro powerhouse Hankook Verdes and the new kids on the block, Santels.
The game resulted in a 2-2 draw with all goals coming in the second half. This came as a surprise to many, who expected Hankook Verdes to load-up Santels. Contrary to all previous exhibition friendlies that Santels lost to Hankook Verdes, Santels had brought their “A” game. Besides, Santels’ coach Nayo Waight once coached Hankook Verdes, and he is familiar with many of the players.
The first half was a see-saw battle with Hankook Verdes having the advantage with quality attempts at the goal. Hankook Verdes’ best chance at scoring in the first half came early in the 10th minute of play. With Verdes on the attack, Santels’ rookie goalkeeper Francis “Tuki” Williams was way off his line when Anthony “Keesh” Gonzales shot a bullet from high inside the 18-yard box. Santels’ defense covered well and Jose Moguel was able to make a kick save from deep inside the 6-yard box.
After a scoreless first half, Hankook Verdes came out blasting in the second. Santels’ defense looked extremely suspect, but somehow managed to hold off the relentless attacks by the Verdes strikers. Goalkeeper Francis Williams was forced to make some key saves and even the upright and crossbar joined in the action.
Hankook Verdes finally got on the scoreboard in the 65th minute of play when Orlando “Leech” Jimenez blasted a shot from the outside corner of the 6-yard box.
But the lead was short lived. In a counterattack launched by Santels in the 74th minute of play, Hankook Verdes’ goalkeeper William “Indian” Johnson misplayed the ball high on the 18-yard boundary. Cyril Simmons, Jr., wasted no time and sent the rebound into the open net to tie the score at one goal apiece.
With 4 minutes remaining in regulation play, Hankook Verdes regained the lead on a goal by Anthony “Keesh” Gonzales, the assist credited to Daniel Jimenez. Verdes almost sealed the deal in the 89th minute. Fortunately for Santels, Daniel Jimenez’s header was denied by the crossbar.
But as fate would have it, on a Santels’ corner kick deep into injury time, Hankook Verdes’ defender Trevor “Burger” Lennon was whistled for a foul as Ivan Flowers went down hard inside the 18-yard box. David Trapp converted the ensuing penalty to secure the 2-2 draw.
Revolutionary Conquerors vs Tex Mar Boys
In the battle down south at the Carl Ramos Stadium in beautiful Dangriga, host team Revolutionary Conquerors and the visiting Tex Mar Boys played to an exciting and entertaining scoreless draw.
Both teams had limited chances at the goal in this defensive chess match. A breakthrough almost came in the second half when Brent White centered a right-cross into the danger zone to Gilmore Palacio, who scored a wicked “chilena”. The ball hit the bottom of the crossbar and rebounded across the goal line and into the net. The head referee had already signaled goal, but quickly reversed his decision because the linesman had flagged an offside infraction.
Second round action will be completed this weekend with 4 exciting match-ups with four teams advancing to the semifinal round. See weekend schedule.