BELIZE CITY, Mon. May 15, 2023
Three Mondays ago, back on April 24, we thought the Premier League of Belize (PLB) 2022-2023 regular season was over, and the stage was set for the Top-4 semifinal playoffs. But things were put on hold when a protested game, lost by San Pedro Pirates FC to Verdes FC, was appealed and overturned at the FFB Appeal Board. After a series of delays and back and forth, the game, previously awarded to Verdes by a (3-0) score, was finally played and determined on the field of play; except that it was an official San Pedro “home” game that was played on neutral grounds at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium, which some fans considered closer to “home” for Verdes FC. Whatever appeasement was made to San Pedro Pirates FC by the Football Federation of Belize (FFB) and/or the PLB, they agreed to play, and last night the result was the same as it had previously been when awarded on a technical decision by the PLB Disciplinary Committee. The game was shown live on TNC-10, and after a scoreless first half, Verdes FC emerged 3-0 victors on a goal each from Joel Burgos (59’), Izon Gill (64’) and the veteran Jerome “Jarro” James (90+2’).
So, the final regular season standings are back to where they were in our April 24th report. See official final standings below:
The Top-4 playoff teams (* above) are now set to square off in a home-and-away knockout series, with #1 seed vs #4 seed, and #2 seed vs #3 seed).
Unfortunately for the lower seeded teams, according to tournament rules they play at home first; and, because of the rush to the Concacaf May 28 deadline, both Progresso FC (#4 seed) and Port Layola FC (#3 seed) will have to host their home games mid-week on Wednesday night, while both Verdes FC and San Pedro Pirates FC get to host the decisive second games at their home venues on the weekend.
Upcoming Semifinal game 1 schedule:
Wednesday, May 17
7:30 p.m. – Progresso FC vs Verdes FC – People’s Stadium
7:30 p.m. – Port Layola FC vs San Pedro Pirates FC – Marion Jones Sports Complex
Semifinal game 2 for San Pedro vs Port Layola will likely be on Saturday night at Ambergris Stadium, while the Verdes vs Progresso clash should take place on Sunday afternoon at the Norman Broaster Stadium.