Belize United’s Fourth Consecutive Mundialito Championship

Goodnight and welcome to another edition of Sports Monday, I am Paul Lopez. The Anthony Mahler Under-Thirteen Mundialito Tournament has come to an end. Champions were declared for both male and female categories on Sunday.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

In the female category, Royal Fusion went up against Alvian Strikers for the championship trophy. Three minutes into the match Royal Fusion’s Amina Burgess sprinting down the other end, made the pass at midfield, got it back and wasted no time disposing the ball into the net. That’s one goal for Royal Fusion. Only two minutes later, Alvian Striker’s Aisha Reyes found an opportunity in front of the goalpost off a corner kick, and she made it count, tying the game. And just before the end of the first half, the referee called a handball against Alvian Strikers inside the penalty box. Jocelyn Zuniga gave Royal Fusion a two-to-one lead.

 

 

 

Up by one with one minute of play time remaining, Amira Burgess, up against multiple defenders found the opening at the top of the penalty box and sealed the victory for her team. The award for Best Forwards went to Royal Fusion’s Jocelyn Zuniga. Akila Baizar received the Best Goalkeeper Award, while Amina Burgess received the Most Goal and Playoff M.V.P. awards. Alvian Strikers also walked away with four personal awards, including the Regular Season M.V.P. and Best Coach.

 

 

 

 

The male finals were played immediately after that game. By this time, fans had filled the stands inside Berger Field. They were all in a celebratory mood as the atmosphere was filled with drumming and cheering. This was 2023 finals rematch between Ladyville Rising Stars and Belize United. Rising Stars lost to Belize United then and so they had something to prove. Belize United sought to defend their title and secure a fourth consecutive championship. After thirty-six minutes of hard-fought playtime from both teams, that even left Belize United’s goalkeeper gasping for air, this one came down to a penalty shootout.

 

 

 

Fredrick Garbutt was the first penalty kicker for Rising Stars. He managed to outplace goalkeeper Noe Flores. Belize United’s Ralph Mendonza sent the ball to the left of the goal. The goalkeeper predicted the kick but just could not get the stop. Kent Noralez kicked was the second kicker for Rising Stars and he easily counted the goal.

 

Belize United’s Jaime Dominquez returned the favor. The penalty shootout was now two goals each.Unfortunately for Rising Stars, Zion Gibson’s penalty kick was stopped by goalkeeper Noe Flores. Schae Gordon launched a rocket to goal for Belize United to put them up, three goals to two.

 

Jahan Kingston kept Ladyville Rising Stars in this one with a necessary goal. Christopher Gilharry counted the fourth straight made penalty shot for Belize United. Nigel Hulse Junior with the most critical shot for Rising Stars. Goalkeeper Noe Flores again with the stop and players and fans alike erupted in celebration.

 

Belize United secured its fourth straight Anthony Mahler Under-Thirteen Mundialito Championship. Noe Flores was awarded the playoff M.V.P. trophy. So that brings an end to an exciting season for these young and promising athletes.

 

Over the course of the five days, Belize’s National Senior Women Football Team fought Bermuda in two friendly matches. The first match was held on Thursday night inside the F.F.B. Stadium. Belize won that match two goals to zero. A rematch was held on Saturday night at the same venue. Unfortunately for the National Senior Women Football Team, Bermuda came out on top in that one. They scored two goals, while team Belize was unable to get one in. The team will be travelling over the coming months to play additional friendly matches.

 

 

 

F.F.B.’s National Amateur Interdistrict Championship is well underway. A total of eight teams have qualified for the quarterfinals. What is making news tonight is Saturday night’s match between Napoles F.C. and Ceasar Ridge F.C. inside the Isidoro Beaton Stadium. These highlights are courtesy Accion Deportiva Belize.

 

The referee called a handball inside the penalty box against Ceasar Ridge at the eightieth minute. As you can see, the call is made off a play directly in front of the goal. A penalty shot was awarded to Napoles.

 

Moments later, a Ceasar Ridge player is issued a red card after he confronted the referee. That player’s anger clearly increased and attacked the referee, physically assaulting him on the field. Two police officers intervened, and a struggle ensued between the player and the officers as he was being escorted to the locker room. The F.F.B. is yet to issue a statement on this incident. Napoles went on to win the match four goals to zero.

 

 

Speaking of national teams, Belize’s National Under-Twenty-One Female Volleyball Team has a big week ahead of them. Belize is hosting the Twentieth U-Twenty-One Central American Volleyball Championship. The tournament is set to begin on Tuesday night inside the Belize City Civic Center. The opening ceremony is scheduled for six p.m. Team Belize will play its first match against Nicaragua immediately after. This tournament comes on the heels of Belize bronze medal performance at the U-Twenty-Three Central American Championship in Honduras. Nicaragua won gold in that tournament. We heard from Team Captain, Gareth Bruce.

 

 

 

Gareth Bruce, Team Captain

“I feel like all of us are well prepared, we are well developed and experienced since of our past tournaments. For most of us it is not our first time, but I can tell you that for my first time it was pretty exciting to travel and have your home crowd behind you supporting and have your coaches believing in you that you can do well and represent your country as best as you can.”

 

 

 

 

Team Belize is scheduled to play Honduras on Wednesday night, El Salvador on Friday and Guatemala on Saturday night. That will be the last game before the award ceremony.

 

 

 

 

 

Well folks that is all we have for you in tonight’s coverage of Sports Monday. Catch you in the next one.