Belize play respectably well but fall 2-1 to Guatemala in Concacaf Nations League B in Belmopan

Photo Credit: Guatemalan Football Federation

By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The Belize Men’s National Team played a good game, but it wasn’t enough and fell to Guatemala 2-1 in the Concacaf Nations League B at the FFB Stadium in Belmopan.

Charles Tillett stopped a penalty kick by Carlos Mejia in the 18^th minute after Darrel Myvett cut down Darwin Lom in the 16^th minute.

Guatemala, chasing French Guiana for a spot in the upcoming Concacaf Gold Cup, kept pressing and got the opener in the 30’ on a header by Oscar Castellanos that went beyond Tillett’s grasp.

As the half died out, Oscar Santis, Guatemala’s best player fired a diagonal shot from the right side to beat Tillett who was obstructed by a Guatemalan forward, netting the ball to increase the lead to 2-0.

Guatemala’s Oscar Santis and Belize’s Eldon Reneau going for the ball (Photo Credit: Guatemalan Football Federation)

But Belize were not to be outdone and nailed one back ff a header by Jordy Polanco who shocked the tall Guatemalan defenders and goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen sending all to the locker room with a 2-1 score which was to hold up until the final whistle despite the advances by both teams in the second half.

Both Belize and Guatemala made several changes but to no avail, the score remained 2-1 with Guatemalan maintaining their superiority over our BMNT. So far since 2007, Guatemala have won seven games and tied the other two.

French Guiana who drew 1-1 with the Dominican Republic lead Group D with 11 points followed by Guatemala with ten. They’ll decide the group winner when they meet on Monday at 8:00 pm in Guatemala City. The Dominican Republic are next with five points and Belize with one point. Their game on Monday in the Dominican Republic at 4:00 pm is for pride.

Many of our players were making their first international appearance and hopefully they are given more opportunities to prove themselves. For now, let’s hope for an improved performance on Monday.

Belize Men’s National Team (Photo Credit: Dany Futbol)

Belize line-up vs Guatemala

Goalkeeper: 1 Charles Tillett

Defenders: 2 Eugene Martinez, 15 Asrel Sutherland, 17 Kyle Flowers, 18 Everal Trapp (Captain)

Midfielders: 3 Eldon Reneau, 7 Jovaunn Ramos, 10 Michael Salazar, 14 Darrel Myvett, 16 Jordy Polanco

Forward: 20 Krisean Lopez

Substitutions:

8 Warren Moss subbed for Reneau (62’)

9 Michael Palacio for Ramos (62’)

13 Denmark Casey for Myvett (62’)

11 Trimayne Harris for Salazar (78’)

19 Andir Chi for Polanco (85′)

Yellow Card: Reneau 3’

Coach: David Pérez (Spanish)

Guatemala Men’s National Team (Photo Credit: Dany Futbol)

Guatemala line-up

Goalkeeper: 1 Nicholas Hagen

Defenders: 16 José Morales, 4 José Pinto (Captain), 3 Nicolás Saravia, 2 José Ardón

Midfielders: 17 Oscar Castellanos, 8 Rodrigo Saravia, 18 Oscar Santis, 13 Alejandro Galindo, 6 Carlos Mejía

Forward: 14 Darwin Lom

Sustitutions:

23 Jorge Aparicio subbed for Galindo (61’)

9 Rubio Rubín Méndez for Darwin Lom (61′)

19 Robin Betancourth for Mejía (70’)

10 Antonio López for Castellanos (79’)

11 César Archila for Santis (79’)

Yellow Cards: Mejía 35’, Ardón 89’, López 90’

Coach: Luis Fernando Tena (Mexican)

Referee: Selvin Brown (Honduras)

Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Belize ~ We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Contact us at mаrkеtіng@brеаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-612-0315.

© 2023, BreakingBelizeNews.com. Content is copyrighted and requires written permission for reprinting in online or print media. Theft of content without permission/payment is punishable by law.