_{Photo: Yabra FC – BDFA 2024 U-17 Male Football Champions}

by William Ysaguirre

BELIZE CITY, Mon. Dec. 30, 2024

Yabra FC won the Belize District Football Association (BDFA) Under-17 regional youth football championship, outgunning Berger United, 4-1, in a penalty shootout at the Marion Jones Sports Complex on Christmas Eve.

_{Photo: Berger United – BDFA 2024 U-17 Male Football Sub-Champions}

Berger United took the field with only 9 men, but Kadeem Oliva (26’) struck first for Berger. MVP Esmond “Bagga” Sanker and Calvin Thurton led Yabra’s furious counterattack, but Zaahir Martin anchored Berger’s defense with Dennis Fisher, Tristen Torres and Ashtar Lewis to help goal keeper Debrone Gonguez secure the 1-0 lead at the half.

Esmond Sanker (45’) equalized, 1-1, immediately after the break, but more Berger players had arrived to bring them up to full strength eleven for the 2nd half. Yabra’s defenders Kenyon Barrow, Daijon Jones, Thomas McLaughlin, Jr. and Michael Martinez tried to contain Berger’s attack, but Elijah Willoughby (52’) gave Berger the, 2-1, lead which they held almost to the end of regulation.

Ajahnie Moguel, Raymond Gentle, Jr., Tyrone Linarez, Jr., and Ajare August pressed for the equalizer, and Sanker (62’) equalized, 2-2. Zaahir Martin replaced Lewis in goal, as the match went into 10 minutes of overtime with no change in the score.

_{Photo: (l to r) Esmond Sanker – MVP; Calvin Thurton – Most Goals}

In penalties, Sanker completed his hat trick, and Tyrone “TY” Linarez, Calvin Thurton, and Michael Martinez converted for Yabra, while Berger’s first try hit the left post, and goalkeeper Devian Humes stopped 2 tries. Only Zaahir Martin converted for Berger.

Kenyon Pratt’s brace (38’ & 80’) had led Berger United to qualify to the finals by a 2-1 win over Belize United, for whom Jaheem Flowers (14’) had struck first, in the semifinals on Thursday evening, December 19. Yabra FC had marched over the Trail Blazers, 9-0, in the nightcap to advance to the finals.

BDFA chairman Stanley “Jordan” Reneau and tournament organizer Kursha Pollard presented team trophies and individual medals to the champions and 2nd place winners in the awards ceremony after the game.

_{Photo: Jerome Mortis – Best Goalkeeper}

Individual awards: Most Goals – Calvin Thurton (Yabra FC); Best Goalkeeper – Jerome Mortis (Belize United FC); Most Valuable Player – Esmond Sanker (Yabra FC).