BELIZE CITY, Mon. June 3, 2019– Week 4 matches, which constitute the decisive 2nd leg in the “Round of 16” match-ups of the Football Federation of Belize’s (FFB) National Amateur League Championship (NACL) inter-district tournament, were scheduled for this past weekend, but only 6 of the 8 scheduled games were actually played. One game was won by default, and another was postponed due to weather conditions.
In a surprise turnaround, in the only scheduled Friday night game, CJM Strikers from Independence won by default (3-0) over Dangriga’s Sampson Proper Fix FC at the M.A. Stadium. Sampson Proper Fix had won the 1st leg the previous week by a 1-nil score, so this would give CJM Strikers the 3-1 aggregate victory, and a place in the quarterfinals.
Two of the 3 scheduled Saturday games were played. At the M.A. Stadium, Team Evans played to a 3-3 draw with visiting Guinea Grass Sugar Boys FC. Shaking the net for Team Evans were Roel Lopez (54’) and Berner Hernandez (55’ & 57’); while Sugar Boys got a goal each from Jose Acevedo (29’), Oscar Acevedo (45’) and Romaro Hernandez (73’). Sugar Boys had won the 1st leg, 6-2, so they advance on a 9-5 aggregate score. Meanwhile, at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium, Dorwin Logan struck twice (58’ & 75’) for visiting Pomona Impacts to secure the 2-1 win over Roaring Creek United, whose only goal was by Amir Torres (41’). However, a 3-1 first leg win gives Roaring Creek the 4-3 aggregate victory. The Caesar Ridge FC vs Flames FC match was postponed due to weather conditions at the Norman Broaster Stadium.
On Sunday at the People’s Stadium in Orange Walk, Progresso FC had another shutout win, this time 5-0 over Mavericks FC from Punta Gorda, with 4 goals from Walter Robles (11’, 18’, 55’ & 62’) and the other from Nazim Aldan (73’). With a 2-0 win in the 1st leg, Progresso is the aggregate 7-0 winner. Out at the Ambergris Stadium, the home team also cruised into the quarterfinal round, as Los Catrachos FC blanked Santa Elena FC, 6-0, with goals from Nestol Cerpa (21’ & 62’), Mark Maldonado (56’), Oslyn Valle (84’) and Wilder Martinez (87’), along with an own goal by Santa Elena’s Than Robateau (2’ OG). Los Catrachos also won the 1st leg, 4-1, so this gives them a 10-1 aggregate win and a spot in the quarterfinals. At the MCC Grounds in Belize City, Barrack Road FC also made light work of Juventus FC, bombing them, 10-0, with goals from Jamal Ford (6’ & 28’), Kevin “Motto” Alvarez (15’), Leocadio Briceno (35’), Francis Andrews (37’ & 54’), Steven “Breds” Baizar (51’), Quince Briceño (60’) and Harold Thompson (74’ & 78’). With a 7-1 first leg victory, this gives Barrack Road a 17-1 aggregate win. And finally, at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium in Belmopan, it was Club Atletico with the 5-1 win over Vince Assassins from San Pedro. Club Atletico goals were by Tyrique “Hamma” Ciego (33’), Carlos Gonzalez (70’, 80’ & 86’) and Bryan Cuellar (85’); while the Assassins only goal was by Etali Rivero (66’). Atletico’s 2-0 first leg win makes them 7-1 aggregate winners and safely into the quarterfinal round.
Wednesday back match
An FFB release today gives the following back match schedule:
Wednesday, June 5, 2nd leg
8:00 p.m. – Caesar Ridge FC vs Flames FC – FFB Stadium
Caesar Ridge FC had prevailed, 4-1, in the 1st leg.
Quarterfinals draw
Reports from the FFB today are that a draw will be held for the quarterfinals. No date has been given for the draw as of press time today; but we expect the quarterfinals to kick-off this coming weekend.