BELIZE CITY, Mon. Jan. 20, 2020– Except for an 11-0 aberration in the Bandits FC blow-out of Placencia Assassins FC in Week 1 of the Premier League of Belize (PLB) 2019-2020 Closing Season, it has been tight races in games so far in the two completed weeks of competition. There were two draw games in Week 1, 0-0 between Altitude FC and defending champs, Verdes FC; and 1-1 between Wagiya SC and San Pedro Pirates FC. And in Week 2 games this past weekend, one was a draw (Pirates 1-1 Altitude), and two were decided by a 1-goal margin (BDF 3-2 Assassins, and Verdes 2-1 Wagiya). Only 7 teams are in this Closing Season, since FF Valley Pride was unable to meet their commitments; which results in 3 games weekly, as one team rests.
In the only Saturday night (January 18) game in Week 2, Altitude FC visited the Ambergris Stadium, and took a 1-nil first half lead over San Pedro Pirates FC, courtesy of his first Premier League goal by rookie Jardehl Muschamp (31’). In second half, Pablo Mendizaba (74’) got the equalizer for the Pirates, and it stayed 1-1 till the long whistle.
On Sunday afternoon at the Placencia Stadium, Placencia Assassins FC was no pushover for visiting BDF FC; and it was 2-2 at the intermission, Camilo Sanchez (7’ & 36’ PK) netting twice for BDF, and John Valencia (25’ & 33’ PK) replying for the Assassins. It was deep into injury time, before the tie was broken by Andir Chi (90+3’), securing the 3-2 win for BDF. Meanwhile, at the Norman Broaster Stadium, home standing Verdes FC led 1-nil over Wagiya SC at the half, after an early goal from Jordy Polanco (5’). There was no “insurance” goal for Verdes, though, as Wagiya’s Ralph Flores (55’) equalized the score; and when John Vergarga (67’) pushed Verdes in front again shortly after, they still could not get a “cushion” goal, but held on till the end for the 2-1 victory.
Upcoming Week 3 schedule (Placencia Assassins FC resting):
Saturday, January 25
7:30 p.m. – Altitude FC vs Wagiya SC – M.A. Stadium
Sunday, January 26
4:00 p.m. – BDF FC vs Bandits Sport – MCC Grounds
4:00 p.m. – Verdes FC vs San Pedro Pirates FC – Norman Broaster Stadium
Looking ahead to Week 4 (San Pedro Pirates FC resting):
Saturday, February 1
8:00 p.m. – Bandits Sport vs Altitude FC – Isidoro Beaton Stadium
Sunday, February 2
3:30 p.m. – Placencia Assassins FC vs Verdes FC – Placencia Football Field
4:00 p.m. – Wagiya SC vs BDF FC – Carl Ramos Stadium
(Amandala Sports Ed. Note: Some fans have complained that the 7-team tournament makes it more difficult to appreciate the standings, as some teams have played more games than others.)