Photo: Port Layola’s Orlando Velasquez scored the goal of the season against Verdes’ goalkeeper Woodrow West.
by William Ysaguirre
BELIZE CITY, Mon. Sept. 2, 2024
Undefeated Progresso FC is leading the Premier League of Belize (PLB) 2024-2025 Opening Season with 13pts after they drew 0-0 with the San Pedro Pirates at the People’s Stadium on Saturday night, August 31.
At the Isidoro Beaton Stadium also on Saturday night, victory tasted oh, so sweet for the Belmopan Bandits, who enjoyed their first win after 4 losses, 2-1, over Wagiya Sports Club. Colombian import Guillermo Cruz (8’) and Ray Coleman (38’) gave Bandits a 2-0 lead up to the half. Colombian import Bryan Sanchez, Christian Tovar, Mario Ortega and Kerdell Diaz pressed for more goals, but Brazilian import Mailson Moura anchored the Wagiya defence with Wilson Morales, Anderson Pixabaj and Raheem Thomas to help goalkeeper Elijah Pelayo not concede any more goals.
Colombian import Jaider Ledesma (67’) narrowed the deficit for Wagiya, as Miguel Morales, Oziel Martinez and Darnel Chavez reinforced the visitors’ defence after the break. Christobal Gilharry anchored the Bandits’ defence with Blake Tejeda, Jahmani Hop and Humberto Valenzuela. Ghanese import Emmanuel Appiah, Roger Parham and Vicente Pedrero reinforced their defence to help goalkeeper Brandon Anderson secure the 2-1 win.
Defending champions Port Layola FC enjoyed their 3rd victory, 3-2, over Verdes FC at the Football Federation of Belize Stadium in Belmopan on Sunday evening. Orlando “Bredda” Velasquez’s (78’) rocket to the vee of left upright and crossbar knocked the wind out of Verdes’ sails, after Andres Orozco’s brace (11’ and 44’) had given Port Layola a 2-1 lead up to the half.
Krisean Lopez (35’) had equalized, 1-1, for the Green Machine, but the Port Layola’s defense gave them short shrift after the break, and Felix Martinez’s (90+2’) injury time goal was not enough and could not tie the score
Break – International matches for the Jaguars
The tournament takes a break this coming weekend as the Belize National “A” Team, the Jaguars will be travelling for two Concacaf Nations League (League C) matches in Turks & Caicos Islands. On Saturday, September 7, they face Turks & Caicos Islands; and then on September 10, in what should be a home game for Belize, they face Anguilla at the same National Academy in Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands. Both matches will be at 3:00 in the afternoon.
PLB tournament resumes
The PLB tournament resumes with Week 6 games next weekend:
Saturday, September 14
7:30 p.m. – Bandits Sports vs Progresso FC – Isidoro Beaton Stadium
7:00 p.m. – San Pedro Pirates vs Port Layola FC – Ambergris Stadium
Sunday, September 15
4:00 p.m. – Wagiya SC vs Verdes FC – Carl Ramos Stadium