Belize’s national football team took on Mexico and lost by two goals, that game played in Houston, Texas in June 2008. It was considered one of the big moments since the game was seen as seen as a match between David and Goliath. In the next few days, the team will be playing a friendly game against Trinidad and Tobago’s national team which played in the recent FIFA World games. So what can be expected? Well, there’s a brand new football field and coach as well as good vibes from players. News Five’s Isani Cayetano headed to the nation’s capital where he found the local boys deep in practice.
Woodrow West, Goalkeeper, Belize National Football Selection
“You know the guys who’re playing in Honduras they’re bringing their what they’ve learned over there, their experience and stuff you know and it’s a big help for us because they bring a calmness that we are not use to, you know. A lot of us playing here in Belize we feel more comfortable here but when we meet those kinda matches we get kinda dibby or how you call it right so these guys mostly bring the calmness and talk to us and share their experience with us, you know, and it gives us a tranquil in our mind and feel secure that at least we have players that are as good as those guys who we’re greeting, you know. So it gives us a good calmness to go in those games and just play normal you know.”
Although West looks forward to a normal game nothing about it will be ordinary besides the fact that they will not be playing a World Cup qualifier. Work on upgrading the FFB facility in Belmopan has been ongoing and come next Friday they will wage war on the regional stage.
Bertie Chimilio, President, Football Federation of Belize
“Late last year we got a visit from our guys, our friends at Caribbean Tires and they offered us some help and for those who have been passing up and down they could see that apart from the seating facility completed, we now have some light towers up and hopefully in the not too distant future we will be able to play all of our international official matches here in Belize.”
A visit to that field today saw employees of Caribbean Tires working tirelessly to install a series of high powered stadium lights to ensure that the facility meets the required standards. But while the world’s religion will be celebrated in grandeur on the same day as the famed Battle of St. George’s Caye Chimilio says it was mere coincidence.
Bertie Chimilio
“Actually it wasn’t planned for the Tenth. We were suppose to play on the eight, right and the eight of September is a FIFA date. It’s a date international players can be released. As a matter of fact that entire week is a date so when Trinidad asked if we could change the date because they got a game with Panama on the seventh and we gladly said yes because in that way more fans can see the game, more people will be free to come and see the game and our international players will still be here with us.”
Of interest is that players on the national team, despite looking good during practice, seem heavily reliant on what their counterparts who are currently playing abroad will bring to the football field.
Ian Gaynair, Player, Belize National Football Selection
“We got big name athletes, guys that make, that are making lotta money in Honduras like Shane Orillo, Deon McCauley, Elroy Smith and Kuylen. Well with the coach we have we, this coach he has a lot of experience and he’s letting us get it slowly but surely, just we do the basics and reach at our climax.”
That coach is renowned international footballer Jelato Ucles, who in the past has led Honduras to the World Cup. Ucles, who speaks only Spanish, is convinced that team Belize can triumph on game day if his players are willing to make the necessary sacrifices. That too requires waiting on the additional teammates.
Jelato Ucles, Coach, Belize National Football Selection
“Tactics-wise we are waiting on the other guys to come in because we need to work on some tactics work and probably from Tuesday onwards until Thursday, Friday we’ll get the team together because we waiting on the rest of guys to get everything fulfilled.”
The month long session for some however, was not to make the team. Instead John King who is highly skilled in ball handling uses the opportunity to learn the technical aspects of the game and to keep himself in shape. Those playing next week are banking on those assets to make a mark within the Caribbean.