Photo: 1st PWLB 2024 Champions – Jewel Fury
BELMOPAN, Sat. Aug. 10, 2024
The Jewel Fury Football Club of Belmopan, the 5-times National Amateur Women’s League (NAWL) champions, made history by winning the first ever Premier Women’s League of Belize (PWLB) championship organized by the Football Federation of Belize (FFB) at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium in Belmopan on Saturday night, August 10.
MVP Shendra Ophelia Casimiro’s brace (40’ and 61’) led the Belmopan club to their historic victory over the 2-times NAWL champions, Sagitun Girlz. Top goleadora 16-year-old Khalydia Velasquez and Casimiro led the Jewel’s offensive, supported by 16-year-old Elva Nunes and Shadette Lino on the wings, and by Shayla’lee Flowers and Ceneia Apolonio at midfield.
Olivia Dacosta anchored Sagitun’s defence with Karisha Coe, Kelanie Forman and Areleni Forman, but were outplayed when Khalydia centered the ball from the right into the goal area for Shendra to boot it into the back of the net. There was little goalkeeper Jasmin Armstrong could do about it.
Jursha Zuniga and Ashley Rodriguez led Sagitun’s counterattacks, with the help of Kenia Perez and Tanya Garbutt on the wings, and by Sabrina Eiley and Tammy Baptist at midfield.
Veterans Jennisha Scott and Mariela Gonzalez led Jewel Fury’s defense, along with Jahniah Arnold and Tory Ramirez to deny their every try, and goalkeeper Idania Ramirez ably handled all shots at goal.
Jewel Fury’s technical director Wayne Casimiro sent in veteran Beatrice Alfaro to relieve an injured Tory Ramirez, and Sagitun’s coach Elizabeth Zabaneh also introduced Diana Vega to replace Tanya Garbutt. Sidney Ruiz, Pauline Linarez and Quiniah Caliz reinforced the Sagitun attacks after the break, replacing Arleni Forman and Karisha Coe, as they sought the equalizer. Ada Cordova and Anijay Quiroz also came off the Jewel’s bench after Shendra’s second goal, to remain on the attack and secure the 2-0 win.
FFB committee members Shane Moody Orio, Onan McLean and Jacqueline Pelayo joined FFB president Sergio Chuc in presenting the individual awards: Most Goals – Khalydia Velasquez (Jewel Fury); Best Midfielder – Jennisha Scott (Jewel Fury) & Sabrina Eiley (Sagitun Girlz); Best Defender – Julie Barrientos (Napoles FC); Best Goalkeeper – Idania Ramirez (Jewel Fury); Most Valuable Player – Shendra Casimiro (Jewel Fury); Best Young Player – Jolene Aranda (Sagitun Girlz); Best Coach – Brayan Paz (Napoles FC); Best Manager – Miguel Gongora (Jewel Fury); Most Entertaining Team – Sagitun Girlz; FIFA Fair Play award – Old Capital Turf Warriors.