Photo: New PLB recruit, Jaheim Mena scores in his first outing for San Pedro Pirates after leading San Pedro Terror Squad to NAIC championship. (See Terror Squad wins NAIC championship in this issue.)
by William Ysaguirre
ORANGE WALK TOWN, Sun. Aug. 25, 2024
Undefeated Progresso FC is leading the Premier League of Belize (PLB) 2024-2025 Opening Season tournament with 12 pts after their 4th consecutive win, 1-0, over defending champions Port Layola FC at the People’s Stadium on Saturday night, August 24. (See Week 4 standings below.)
Sebastian Valencia came off the bench to deliver the winning goal (90+4’) in injury time for the 1-0 final score. Jonard Castillo and Mikey Palacio led Progresso’s offensive, supported by Trimayne “Pepper” Harris and Andir Chi on the wings, and by Anderson Cordoba and Sydney Petillo at midfield. Port’s veteran defenders Ian Gaynair and Jarret Davis kept them at bay with the help of Naim “Nemo” Wilson and Norman Anderson, and goalkeeper Oscar Palomino handled all other challenges.
Wilson’s hard tackle on Palacio earned him a second yellow card reprimand and a red card ejection, but Port soldiered on with only 10 men. Andres Orozco and Gilroy “Laing” Thurton led the Port attacks, with the help of Rene Leslie, Miguel Garcia, Mathias Bandini and Jarrel Young. They made little impression on the host’s defenders Richard Gillett, Harlan Casanova, Jose Tinoco Velasquez and Jhon Vasquez Vergara, who helped goalkeeper Luisito Cunil keep a clean slate throughout.
Wilmer Chacon and Valencia relieved Casanova and Castillo after the break, and Progresso’s technical director Wilmer Garcia pulled out all the stops to get a goal, emptying his bench as Raymond Ramos, Kyle Budna and Aiden Nuñez replaced Petillo, Palacio and Harris.
Port’s coach Julius Allen also refreshed his attack line with Shawn Young, Wayne Ford, Curtis Valerio and Floyd Jones replacing Garcia, Bandini, Orozco and Davis.
The game was almost over and into stoppage time, when Sebastian Valencia finally slotted the ball past Palomino inside the left upright to find the back of the net; 1-0, Progresso.
At the Norman Broaster Stadium on Sunday afternoon, Verdes FC enjoyed their 3rd win, 3-0, over the winless Bandits Sports with goals by Yubequier Arenas (2’), Darrel Myvett (11’) and Jordi Polanco (85’).
At the Ambergris Stadium on Sunday evening, Wagiya denied the San Pedro Pirates their 2nd win, salvaging a 2-2 draw with a late goal in the 2nd half. Wagiya’s R. Mendoza (31’) struck first, but the Pirates’ recent recruit Jaheim Mena (36’) soon equalized, and Moises Hernandez (43’) gave the hosts the 2-1 lead before the half. However, Nigel Elijio (79’) got the equalizer for Wagiya who gained their first point of the season.
The tournament continues with 3 more matches this weekend:
Saturday, August 31
7:30 p.m. – Progresso FC vs San Pedro Pirates – People’s Stadium
7:30 p.m. – Bandits Sports vs Wagiya SC – Isidoro Beaton Stadium
Sunday, September 1
4:00 p.m. – Port Layola FC vs Verdes FC – Marion Jones Sports Complex