BELIZE CITY, Mon. Mar. 18, 2024
First, catching up on some Week 9 happenings: Verdes is no longer undefeated, after losing at home, 2-1, to defending champions Altitude FC last week Sunday, March 11. Dejmari Pop (22’) and Andres Orozco (84’) scored for Altitude, while Darrel Myvett (40’) tallied for Verdes. In other Week 9 games, Benque got back on the winning track with a 2-1 victory over Police United FC, with the help of a Police own goal by Randy Chaveria (20’ OG) which gave Benque the 1-nil lead. Brayan Sanchez (45’) tied it up for Police; but Benque got the game winner from Jahyrl Smith (60’) to keep themselves in playoff contention. Progresso clipped Bandits, 1-0 (Aloisio Teixeira 18’); and Port Layola trashed Wagiya, 6-0 (Latrell Middleton 65’, 88’ & 90+3’; Orlando Velasquez 2’; Jarret Davis 66’; and Curtis Valerio 75’).
In a Week 8 back match on Thursday, March 14, Police beat Wagiya, 2-0, with goals from
Week 10 games results
The Top-4 playoff picture is beginning to take shape at the end of Week 10 in the Premier League of Belize (PLB) 2023-2024 Closing Season. With 4 weeks of games remaining, 4 teams are slowly separating themselves at the top of the standings, but the 4th position is still not secure for defending champions, Altitude FC, as Progresso FC is still within reach. Progresso missed a chance to close that gap when they drew with Altitude this past weekend.
It was almost a big upset win for Progresso FC on Saturday night in Mango Creek, where they led Altitude FC, 2-1, at the half, but Altitude captain Delone Torres tied it up early in second half to secure the 2-2 draw. For Altitude, Luis “Baaka” Torres 22’ and Delone “Debreezy” Torres 53’; and for Progresso, Kyle Budna 11’ and Andir Chi 44’).
Also on Saturday night, an injury time goal broke a 2-2 deadlock to give Benque United FC the 3-2 win at home over Bandits Sports. For Benque, Jaylen Lennan 9’, Moises Hernandez 44’ and Jahyrl Smith 90+1’; and for Bandits, Gerson Membreno 54’ and Jonard Castillo 65’).
On Sunday afternoon at the Norman Broaster Stadium, it was fun and games for Verdes FC, as they cruised to a 6-0 win over Wagiya SC with goals from Michael Palacio (9’ & 24’), Christian Ramirez (23’), Matias Vernon (67’ & 90+2’) and Trimayne Harris (75’).
Meanwhile, Port Layola had to take their home game to the Isidoro Beaton Stadium, and they only managed a 2-2 draw against struggling Police United FC who got the tying goal deep into injury time. Latrell Middleton (73’) and Juan Ocompo (84’) scored for Port Layola; while Police United goals were by Jahlin Pelayo (88’) and Keynard Bood (90+5’).
The tournament takes a break this coming weekend, resuming on Easter weekend with Week 11 games. Goal scoring leader remains Port Layola’s Latrell Middleton with 12 goals; next is Verdes’ Matias Vernon with 11; then Wagiya’s Harrison “Cafu” Roches and Altitude’s Andres Orozco with 5 goals each.
Outlook to Week 11 schedule:
Saturday, March 30
7:30 p.m. – Progresso FC vs Wagiya SC – People’s Stadium
7:30 p.m. – Benque United FC vs Altitude FC – Marshalleck Stadium
7:30 p.m. – Bandits Sports vs Police United FC – Isidoro Beaton Stadium
Sunday, March 31
4:00 p.m. – Verdes FC vs Port Layola FC – Norman Broaster Stadium
Outlook to Week 12:
Saturday, April 6
7:30 p.m. – Police United FC vs Verdes FC – Marshalleck Stadium
7:30 p.m. – Altitude FC vs Bandits Sports – M.A. Stadium in Independence
Sunday, April 7
4:00 p.m. – Port Layola FC vs Progresso FC – Marion Jones Sports Complex
4:00 p.m. – Wagiya SC vs Benque United FC – Carl Ramos Stadium