Verdes, San Pedro Pirates to fight back this weekend in PLB semifinals; Progresso, Port Layola with upper hand

Photo Credit: Progresso FC

By Rubén Morales Iglesias: Verdes and the San Pedro Pirates find themselves in the uncustomary position of being down as they go into the final leg of the semifinals of the Premier League of Belize (PLB).

On Wednesday, both fell 2-1 to their opponents in the first leg at the People’s Stadium in Orange Walk and the Marion Jones Sporting Complex in Belize City, respectively. This weekend they had better come up with a win, otherwise the underdogs will be in the finals.

We’ll never know how much Verdes were affected by the detainment of their goalkeeper Woodrow West in the latter part of the first half when the police walked on the pitch halting the match and taking him into custody. The match was tied 0-0 at the time. A Verdes source said the incident “sucked some life out of the team”.

Both Verdes and San Pedro had played each other last Sunday, while Progresso and Port were well rested. The fact is Progresso and Port took advantage and bagged the first three points.

Now, Progresso and Port only need a draw to qualify to the finals as the cumulative score decides who advances to the Final with the away goal solving a tie in goals.

Verdes will host Progresso at 4:00 pm on Sunday at the Norman Broaster Stadium in San Ignacio. The San Pedro Pirates match against Port Layola was switched from Saturday to Sunday at 6:00 pm at Ambergris Stadium in San Pedro.