BELIZE CITY, Mon. Jan. 23, 2023
It’s still early, just two weeks into the Premier League of Belize (PLB) 2022-2023 Closing Season, but surprisingly, defending champions, Altitude FC, who dethroned previous champion Verdes FC in a penalty shootout to end the Opening Season, is yet to score a goal, losing their season opener at home to Police/Benque United FC, 1-0, and then going scoreless, 0-0, against a young Progresso FC team yesterday. Meanwhile, Belize City’s Port Layola has burst out of the starting gate with two victories in a row.
In Week 1 game summaries: San Pedro Pirates FC, 2-0, over Progresso FC at Ambergris Stadium (Pirates – Mario Chimal 23’; Facundo Garnier 43’); Police/Benque FC, 1-0, over Altitude FC at the M.A. Stadium in Independence (Benque – Daniel Jimenez 8’); Port Layola FC, 5-0, over Wagiya SC (Port Layola – Michael Palacio 11’ & 14’; Shawn Young 24’ & 45+4’; Jarret Davis 90+1’).
In Week 2 action this past weekend, on Saturday night at Ambergris Stadium, it was 1-1 at the half, and visiting Wagiya SC held a 2-1 lead midway through second half, but the home team rebounded with 3 late goals to give San Pedro Pirates FC the come from behind 4-2 victory over Wagiya.
Meanwhile, at the Marshalleck Stadium in Benque Viejo, it remained scoreless until late in second half when M. Zavala (82’) scored what proved the game winner for Verdes FC, 1-0, over Police/Benque United FC.
On Sunday evening at the People’s Stadium in Orange Walk, defending champs Altitude FC were held to a 0-0 draw by home squad Progresso FC. The defending champs join two other teams, Bandits Sports and Progresso FC who remain scoreless through the first two weeks of the Closing Season.
Also on Sunday, at the Marion Jones Stadium, Belize City’s Port Layola FC made it two wins in a row to remain on top of the standings when they dropped Belmopan’s Bandits Sports, 2-0, with a goal each from rookie sensation Michael Palacio (3’) and defender’s nightmare Gilroy “Bredda” Thurton (45+2’). (See standings below.)
Upcoming Week 3 schedule:
Saturday, January 28
7:30 p.m. – Altitude FC vs Wagiya SC – M.A. Stadium in Independence
7:30 p.m. – Bandits Sports vs San Pedro Pirates FC – Isidoro Beaton Stadium
7:30 p.m. – Police/Benque United FC vs Progresso FC – Marshalleck Stadium
Sunday, January 29
4:00 p.m. – Verdes FC vs Port Layola FC – Norman Broaster Stadium