BELIZE CITY, Mon. June 27, 2022

   Twenty (20) teams from the ten (10) country zones paired off in combat over the weekend for the first leg of a home-and-away series, the first round of competition in the Football Federation of Belize (FFB) 2022 National Amateur Interdistrict Championship. At the completion of the home-and-away series, the 10 winners along  with the 6 best losers from Round One will be combined together for the knockout Round of 16 which follows.

   There has been a slight change in the Round One format. It was previously announced that Round One would be one game only, after which the 10 winners and 6 best losers would advance to the Round of 16; but after some complaints and agitation from the clubs, it was agreed to let Round One be a home-and-away affair, a much more fair approach by all account.

   In Round One Week One this past weekend, 5 games were scheduled for Saturday and 5 for Sunday.

Saturday, June 25

   At 4:00 p.m. at the Victor Sanchez Union Field in Punta Gorda, it was the visitors, Atletico FC from Belmopan coming away with the 4-1 victory over Silver Creek FC of Toledo. Atletico goals were by Tyriq Ciego (55’), Wilfredo Galvez (40’) and Sean Caliz (67’ & 76’); while Michael Saki (78’) got the lone goal for Silver Creek.

   Meanwhile, at the Louisiana Football Field in Orange Walk, it was the home team, Caribbean Rum Boys prevailing, 3-0, over the visiting Corozal United Ballers. The Rum Boys got a brace from Nazim Aldana (51’ & 57’) after Francisco Rivas (7’) had opened the scoring early.  

   At 6:00 p.m. at the Ricalde Stadium in Corozal, it was a real battle to the end, with the home team, Libertad FC prevailing, 4-3, over Bella Vista FC from Independence. Shaking the net for Libertadores were Gregory Banner (20’), Shedrick Swaso (44’ & 80’) and Ardon Budna (58’); while Bella Vista goals came from Wilmer  Echeveria (22’ & 55’) and Eduardo Martinez (80’). 

   Also with a 6:00 p.m. kickoff, it was a see-saw battle at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium where a late strike by Danny Jimenez, Jr. secured a 3-3 draw for his visiting team, Benque Verdes Jrs. against Belmopan’s Galacticos FC. Jalen Myers had a hat trick (27’, 37’ & 57’) for Galacticos; while Danny Jimenez struck twice (30’ &  89’) and Byron Manzanero (32’) got the other goal for Benque Verdes Jrs.   

   Meanwhile, it was another tight contest at the Marshalleck Stadium in Benque Viejo, where home team ZBoys FC and visiting Bambas FC from Midsouth played to a 1-1 draw. Marshan Lozano (11’) gave Bambas the early lead, but Darren Mis (29’) equalized for ZBoys.

Sunday, June 26

   The Victor Sanchez Union Field was the scene of a more intense battle, starting  at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, where home standing Mavericks FC seemed close to a 3-1 victory; but a late surge by Lake-I FC from Belize City produced 2 goals to secure a 3-3 draw. Jaren Lambey (31’ & 63’) and Estevan Nicholas (76’) hit the target for Mavericks; while Lake-I got a goal each from Deltroy Gamboa (19’), Francis Arana (83’) and Floyd Jones (89’).     

   Meanwhile, at the Santa Elena Complex in Cayo, first half goals by Sydney Petillo (28’) and James Martinez (42’) were enough to give Hopkins Ibayani from Stann Creek the 2-1 victory over Santa Elena Royal United, whose only goal was by Lavaun Garnett (48’).

   Here at the MCC Grounds in Belize City, home team Kelly Street Bombers got an early lead through Steven “Breds” Baizar (10’), but Griga Conquerors FC came back strong in second half with goals from Izon Gill (63’) and Wayne Ford (71’) to come away with the 2-1 road win.  

   It was a double-header out at Ambergris Stadium on Sunday, with matches scheduled for 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. In the opener, home fans were disappointed as visiting Progresso FC from Orange Walk shelled San Pedro’s Jokers FC, 5-1, with goals from Jaheim Augustine (45+’ & 50’), Richard Omoruyi (46’), Zamir Bonilla (90+’) and Ryan Gonzalez (62’); while Luis Hyde’s (52’) goal prevented the shutout for Jokers.  

   San Pedro fans got something to cheer about in the nightcap, however, as their Conquerors FC claimed a 3-1 victory over Flames FC from Cayo. Conquerors got a goal apiece from Oslyn Valle (26’), Edilberto Caliz (33’) and Jose Rubi (58’); while Manuel Romero (69’) scored for Flames.

   The decisive second leg of Round One is next.

   Upcoming Round 1 Week 2 schedule:

Saturday, July 2

6:30 p.m. – Bella Vista FC vs Libertad FC – M.A. Stadium in Independence

7:00 p.m. – Atletico FC vs Silver Creek FC – Isidoro Beaton Stadium

7:00 p.m. – Verdes Juniors vs Galacticos FC – Marshalleck Stadium

Sunday, July 3

4:00 p.m. – Flames FC vs Conquerors FC – Norman Broaster Stadium

4:00 p.m. – Griga Conquerors FC vs Kelly Street Bombers – Carl Ramos Stadium

4:00 p.m. – Bambas vs ZBoys – M.A. Stadium in Independence

4:00 p.m. – United Ballers vs Caribbean Rum Boys – Ricalde Stadium

4:00 p.m. – Progresso FC vs Joker FC – Louisiana Football Field

4:00 p.m. – Lake-I FC vs Mavericks – MCC Grounds

6:30 p.m. – Hopkins Ibayani vs Santa Elena Royal – Carl Ramos Stadium