Posted: Monday, December 4, 2023. 11:05 am CST.
Captain Sabrina Eiley leads Belize against Aruba on Monday; photo shows Eiley in 2-0 win on September 21 in Belmopan – Photo Credit: FFB/Will Moreno Photography
By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The Belize Women’s National Team (BWNT) have already secured their promotion to the CONCACAF League B, but they are not satisfied yet. They want to finish their Group A campaign with a perfect 6-0 record, and they have one more obstacle to overcome: Aruba. The game is set for Monday at the Guillermo P. Trinidad Stadium in Oranjestad at 3:00 pm (1:00 pm Belize Time).
The BWNT have been impressive in their first five games, scoring 19 goals and conceding only one. Their only close game was against Aruba, whom they defeated 2-0 in Belmopan on Independence Day. Coming off a big win 8-0 over Turks and Caicos Islands, Aruba will be eager to spoil Belize’s perfect run.
Aruba are no pushover. Though they dropped two of their five games, they have also scored 19 goals though they’ve conceded five.
The BWNT have shown great skill, cohesion, teamwork, and passion throughout the tournament, despite missing some key players like Jayda Brown, Kaite Jones and Shante Chacon in this last leg. But captain Sabrina Eiley, Khalydia Velasquez, Mikhaila Bowden, Ashley Rodríguez, Roshanny Narváez, Vaylene Lambert, and company have proven that they belong in a higher level of competition than League C, the lowest tier in CONCACAF and are moving up to League B next season.
Belize began their campaign blanking Aruba 2-0 on September 21 at the FFB Stadium in Belmopan where four days later, on September 25, they took out Bonaire 3-0. They continued their impressive form with a 6-0 thrashing of Turks and Caicos Islands away on October 26, and a 3-0 win in the rematch in Belmopan. Then, Belize routed Bonaire 5-1 at Rincon last Thursday, November 30.
Having achieved their League B promotion goal, the BWNT are determined to end their group play with a flawless record. That is their motivation for the game against Aruba.
Currently Belize have 15 points, Aruba sport nine, Bonaire four, and Turks and Caicos Islands one.
On gameday on Monday, December 4, the BWNT started the day with a massage and medical checkup before having a match preparation meeting at 11:00 am (9:00 am Belize Time). After having lunch they left for the Stadium at 1:00 pm (11:00 am Belize Time) for the match at 3:00 pm (1:00 pm Belize Time).
Later on Monday, Group A closes play with Bonaire visiting Turks and Caicos at 3:00 pm (2:00 pm Belize Time).
On Tuesday, December 5, the BWNT start their journey back, via Panama City and Cancun, arriving at the Mexico/Belize border by 6:00 am on Wednesday, December 6.
Belize’s five games in Group A in the Concacaf W Road to Gold Cup
September 21, 2023
BELIZE 2-0 ARUBA
Mikhaila Bowden 65′
Sabrina Eiley 90’+1
September 25, 2023
BELIZE 3-0 BONAIRE
Mikhaila Bowden 34′
Khalydia Velasquez 48′, 64′
October 26, 2023
TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS 0-6 BELIZE
Mikhaila Bowden 11′, 67′
Khalydia Velasquez 36′
Shamika Lambey 49′
Sabrina Eiley 54′
Ashley Rodríguez 77′
October 30, 2023
BELIZE 3-0 TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS
Kaite Jones 44’, 52’
Khalydia Velasquez 48’
November 29, 2023
BELIZE 5-1 BONAIRE
Belize: Khalydia Velasquez 18’
Sabrina Eiley 41’, 49’
Carlene Tillett 81’, 90’+3
Bonaire: Yurgy-Ann Visers 28’
Group A Standings
Belize 15
Aruba 9
Bonaire 4
Turks and Caicos Islands 1
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