Game 1 of the best of 3 Super League Championship series in Benque Viejo on Sunday, April 20, was not exactly a chess match, but for two and a half hours of intense competition, the massive crowd of boisterous football fans were treated to a thrilling display of tactical football by the two best Super League teams, home squad Benque D.C. United and visiting Texmar Boys from Independence.
The atmosphere was festive, Benque Fiesta style at the Marshalleck Stadium. But the ending was still bitter for the home fans, who, after a scoreless regulation and overtime, saw their team miss its last of five penalties, and watched in “shock and awe” as the visiting Texmar fans invaded the field in jubilation to celebrate their 4-3 victory.
The first half of play was evenly matched, with the two teams seemingly employing different “formations”. Benque appeared to initiate play from the now established two forward, four midfield setup. Texmar seemed to attack from the one-time popular and more exciting three forward stance, supported by three midfielders. But, as football pundits will tell you, it’s not just how you line up, but how you actually play, and especially how you adjust to cover and counter your opponent’s moves.
The game was really “played”, the ball moved, from left to right, and from right to left, with surprising poise and control from both teams, so the field was seldom crowded in one area, thus avoiding the chance for “physicality” to dominate the arena. Both keepers had to work hard, though a number of shots went wide, as the slippery ground took the edge off the strikers’ accuracy.
Midway through the second half, Texmar appeared to be taking control of the game, but their few good shots, including one especially dangerous missile to the low right corner by Henry Jimenez, were rejected by Benque’s outstanding goalkeeper, William Luna. From a scoreless regulation, it was on to overtime; and still no score. And then, the dreaded penalties.
Ironically, it was perhaps the two best Benque players who missed their penalties. Habib Cano, Benque’s leading scorer in the tournament, and Elias Donaire are two very slick and talented midfielders, who are the heart of the Benque attack. But, no doubt worn from their long afternoon of hard work, and perhaps intimidated by the imposing physical structure of Texmar’s tall goalie, Steven Lopez, they both failed to convert; as did, surprisingly, Texmar’s Marcos “Magoo” Souto. Magoo, a master ball artist, confidently placed his shot very well in the right top corner, and seemingly hard enough; but Benque’s superb goalie, William Luna figured correctly and surprised everyone, especially Magoo, with his amazingly quick leap to snare the shot and keep the score even at two goals apiece. For Benque, Habib’s miss went off to the left, while Elias’ went off to the right, to end the game with Texmar up, 4-3.
Kicking and scoring from the penalty spot for Texmar, who kicked first, were 1st, captain Robert Muschamp; 2nd, Wilmer Garcia; (Magoo kicked 3rd) 4th, Dalton Eiley; and 5th, Gabriel Ramos. For Benque, their sequence of kickers who scored was 1st, Albert Eiley; (Habib kicked 2nd) 3rd, Julio Ayala; and 4th, Francisco Aldana (Elias kicked 5th).
The action moves this Saturday night to the Michael Ashcroft Stadium in Independence for game 2 of the championship finals. And for sure, neither team wants to go to penalties again. For Benque, it is do or die. Texmar will be intent on closing the show on their home turf. Belize City fans will most likely be riding with Benque, if only for the chance to have a third and final showdown at the MCC the following week. Whatever the outcome on Saturday, fans can be assured of their money’s worth of exciting, competitive, championship football, the best of the best in the Super League. See you in Independence.
(By the way, has anybody heard anything about a quadrangular Champion of Champions Cup involving the top two teams each from the Super League and the BPFL? That would be interesting! Only thing, Magoo would have to make up his mind – BDF or Texmar?)