Mexico-Belize: 2-0

Once I wake up a little I'll post some pics. Was really a lot of fun as well as the after party - all the players showed up. Good times for sure.

The Belize/ Mexico 2 match will be on Telemundo at 9 Central and 10 Eastern time on Saturday night. Elimination games for World Cup qualifiers are based on the aggregate goals of two games, one home one away. In order to win Belize needs to beat Mexico by three goals in Monterrey.

this from a friend.....

Just a few comments about the game...

First off the original coach didn’t make it because he couldn’t get a Visa to the US. It would seem that GOB could have intervened on his behalf but since Dr. Chimilio (the head of FFB) has stated FFB and FIFA are not controlled nor do they have to respect GOBs requests I assume that the good Dr. was a bit too ashamed to go ask GOB a favor. I know for a fact that he did not ask because I know the coach personally and he as well as others asked Dr. Chimilio to ask GOB for help. I do not know whether there were other reasons but basically the coach did not progress because he had no Visa and no help from FFB or GOB.



I was at the game and yes we had players carried off the field but for what amounted to cramps. I am sure the televisions didn’t show what was going on around the fields after they were brought out. A stretcher injury usually requires a player to leave the game but our players miraculously made it back in after being rubbed down and given water. Other players were running to the sidelines to get a quick rub down. Conditioning was poor.



As an avid fan of the game and a follower of Mexico’s national team I can tell you that what Mexico fielded was not their strong team. No Rafa Marquez, Borghetti late in the game, no Blanco – this was a practice game to get the up and coming Mexican players some prime time exposure. If Mexico had fielded their all star team Belize would have felt the consequences.



The Belize team played defense the entire game even though the coach kept calling for them to move up. It appears that instead of going out to win the Belize players went out to try not to lose too badly. No chances, no risks, were taken and therefore nothing was achieved.



Someone mentioned that Belize should have played an air game but Belize was out maneuvered by the Mexican squad. Mexico got to the headballs before Belize, period. It is not always about the size, it is also about positioning. Also, whoever assumed that Belizeans are taller than Mexicans must not be aware that all of Mexico is not indigenous Indians. Most of the Mexican players are in the 5’10” and above height range similar to Belize’s team.



Mexico beat Belize on the basics of ball control, triangulation, positioning, and conditioning. We played good but they were better.



The early jitters was very apparent but by the second half most of the players had settled down into a more confident rhythm. There were issues with the pitch being faster than what they’re used to in Belize (it was a perfectly manicured field, something we don’t have in Belize). That is something the FFB could have and should fix but the funds directed to the FFB by FIFA somehow never seems to make it into facility improvements.



Moody played strong in goal but was weak as a Captain. Shane needs to become a leader for the team. I know Shane and he is quite soft spoken but he needs to get vocal on the field, like Oswaldo for instance.



There was another ray of hope, a number 5 who I believe to be one of the Benavides boys from Orange Walk. He had the skills, the ball control, that matched that of the Mexicans. What he didn’t have were the supporting players. Three more like him and we would have seen a different game.



I was at the after party with the players, the sentiment was that they succeeded because Mexico beat Peru 4-0 and only beat Belize 2-0. That is not success gentlemen, that is settling for mediocrity instead of striving for excellence. This is a direct reflection of our culture as a whole.



It would seem that Belize had the world stage and FFB could have capitalized on this fact as a means of generating funds and support for football in Belize. Whereas Mexico supporters had vendors all over selling their wares Belize had a guy going around selling what were probably “black market” jerseys for $60. The Belizean fans, and they were many of us, made our own noise and “did our own thing” because there was nothing that FFB did to foster support. Regardless, we came, we made noise, we supported. Of the over 50,000 fans at the game I would estimate that Belizeans and Belize supporters made up about 5% of the fans. Not bad when you consider the population difference between the two countries.



I am proud of our accomplishment to date and I continue to support football in Belize but shame on FFB for not doing more for Belize and the Belizean football community. As the czar of FIFA in Belize Dr. Chimilio is in a position to make a difference but has chosen instead to stifle its development for whatever reason he may have

From a friend...
My dad took some real cool pictures at the World Cup Soccer Match. Belize vs. Mexico. Here is the link.

http://www.glchism.smugmug.com/

Wow! Incredible pics.

from a friend....
Just a few more ramblings of my trip to Houston to see the game against Mexico.

On two separate occasions I met and chatted with Mr. Wellington Ramos for quite some time about the future and history of football in Belize. We were joined in both cases by Rudolph “Sir Andie” Anderson, the football legend, 2006 Belize City Council candidate, and sponsor of sports in general in Belize. The group also included one of the individuals in the organizing committee of the game and two other individuals whose names all eludes me at this time. These discussions were the night before the game and the day after the game at the reception. The general consensus was that Dr. Chimilio was not doing enough for football in Belize and that something must be done. Mr. Ramos vowed to research the issues behind FFB and has to date written two articles to that effect. The individual in the organizing committee said that she would forward the restrictive emails that Dr. Chimilio had issued to the organizing committee for Mr. Ramos in order to facilitate his research. Sir Andie suggested that he would continue to sponsor youth sports to the best of his ability and I did the same.

We also went beyond football talking about the faith of Belize and the issues we are faced with in the coming years. Here the consensus was that although it appears the current administration is trying to accomplish some change we have basically swapped “black dog fi monkey” and what we are really in need of is some new blood – people who are not involved for their ego or their personal gain but who really want to better our country. Of course no candidate could be offered up at this time.

I also spoke briefly to Dr. Chimilio at the post-game reception and he echoed the players sentiment that this was a win for Belize. I explained to the good doctor that this was not a win and that he should be doing more. I also asked why there was a lack of organization as a whole and he asked what specifically was not organized. I then starting giving him a list of items – receptions, marketing items, team support, media, etc. He said that is a matter for FFB and that he will take it under advisement. He then said he had to go mingle with others and went to the food stand to get some food.

All in all, I had a lot of fun talking to these individuals. I met a few old friends from high school days who are living in the USA and made new friends along the way. I applaud individuals like Mr. Ramos and Sir Andie who flew in at their own expense to be a part of history and who believe in the youth of Belize sufficient to put their resources behind the improvement of sports and our people of Belize.

Belize Shocks Mexico!

Mexico versus Belize, the odds seemed insurmountable, a country of 110 million, versus a country of point three million, a national football team ranked 15 worldwide, compared to a team which had just moved up from dead last to 157th. And sure enough Mexico was excessively confident, so much so that Mexican sports commentators were clowning Belize on Televisa before the game started, saying our team practiced in the jungle and that we dance to the sound of milk pans, not music. Well they’re not making jokes tonight, no sir. True, Belize did not beat Mexico but yesterday afternoon at the Reliant Stadium in Houston Texas our national team performed competently, admirably and with dignity, suffocating the Mexican offence with relentless defence and frustrating its stars with our quickness and physicality.

Tonight, we’ll have a trio of stories on the game and the event that it was. Our team of Keith Swift and Alex Ellis were in Houston through the courtesy of Continental Airlines. They begin with this story of what it was like, before the game.

Keith Swift Reporting,
The mood was set before we even left the airport as boisterous Mexican fans and expectant media commandeered the lobby. They were awaiting the arrival of their team – making it clear from early that H-Town is their town.

[Mexicans Chanting ‘Mejico’]

And when they did arrive – the Mexican players got star treatment – lights camera and autographs.

Across town, we were on the bus with team Belize as they traveled to the international soccer park where they posed for this photo op with Sports Minister Marcel Cardona and signed autographs. And from the park – it was to the Reliant Stadium for their first practice session.

Relatively speaking, what we saw at the airport was nothing. We are inside the Reliant Stadium right now. It is on this field that the Belize National Team will be battling Mexico tomorrow. Now the Reliant Stadium is Houston’s biggest sports arena, capable of holding 70,000 people and the clincher is that most of the people in those seats tomorrow will be Mexicans.

But on Saturday afternoon, 70,000 screaming fans weren’t there. In fact, with the exception of Channel 7 and the international media, the Belize team had the Reliant to themselves. The 21 players had a comfortable 60 minutes to practice, stretch, and then huddle.

[Team Chanting]

It was 24 hours before the game of their lives and there was no turning back, the world would be watching and ESPN was already talking to them.

Danny Jiminez, Team Belize
“I am just a little anxious to play this game and get it over with it and I can’t just wait for the world to get to know the kind of level Belize is on and like I said, I am just anxious for this game to come and I can’t wait for tomorrow.”

Keith Swift,
As you look around the stadium and see its size, what’s going through your mind?

Danny Jiminez,
“Well I just say it is a wonderful place to play football. Nothing can go wrong. It is not like other fields where you have to run and watch where you run because holes and so are in the field. Here it is a nice pitch and everything and play ball, that is all this place is built for.”

Keith Swift,
Are you going to be able to sleep, are you going to be nervous?

Danny Jiminez,
“Well I won’t be nervous but it will be a lot of thinking about the game and thing and like I said, I will can’t wait. I maybe won’t even get enough sleep because I will be waiting to see daylight.”

Keith Swift,
What will the hours leading up to the game be like for you? Will you be able to get sleep?

Danny Jiminez,
“Well I will really need to get some rest because for the whole of today we’ve been moving around and I really like I need some rest so I think I will get enough rest tonight. I don’t think it will be much of a impact about the game. Even though I will be thinking about it.”

And while Danny and Deon had to wait a night – Shane Orio has waited his entire career.

Shane Orio, Team Captain
“I dream of myself and Belize being at the World Cup in 2010 or 2014. That is my dream and that is my hope and every time I sleep, I dream of it, I imagine it. So with things like these, you look back at all the hard work you have put in back in Belize and in Costa Rica and you realize it really pays off.”

And far away from the Reliant Stadium, here at the International Soccer Field the game has already begun. It is a friendly match between Belizean teams but it proves that for at least this weekend, Houston is Belize’s home away from home as Belizeans from across America and from Belize have come here to rally for their country.

Petrona Arnold, Belizean American
“It is like I am on top. I’ve always been proud of being a Belizean but having Belize coming to us, it is awesome. It is an awesome feeling.”

Sharlene Arzu, Belizean American
“We know our Belizean team is good. If they can pull it out, more power to them. Yes, we are behind them. We are going to support them no matter what. No matter what. I think it is great that they are on the national stage. So that is more important than winning or losing but of course we want them to win. So we are going to be behind them.”

Englebert Cherrington, Belizean in Houston
“I’m excited, it is nice to see the little country doing good, it is nice. I like it. I will be out here cheering them on, all day and night, as long as we get that win. I am here. If they give 110% out there and they represent, that’s good enough but winning is the ultimate goal and if you don’t win, then you will make an additional statement and that is what we’re here for – to win.”

Diana Buckley, Belizean American
“We live in Houston, in America, and you meet people and they say we have an accent and ask where are we from. I say I am from Belize and no one knows Belize. So this actually puts Belize on the map. We have to let them know that they are doing something good for the country. It is a good opportunity for them and so we should be supporting them because they worked real hard to get here. So win lose or draw tomorrow, we will always be behind them. To me, getting here is enough because they made it this far. We need to support them.”

Leon Staine, Belizean
“There is nothing embarrassing about it. They are coming out their first round and going into the second round. It is a historic moment like this and there is nothing embarrassing about it. At least we have to show up, play the game, do the best we could and let the chips fall where they may.”

Lucinda Carillo, Belizean Living in Dallas
“We came from Dallas. We’ve lived here for like 12 years already. We are excited to see our friends, our fellow Belizeans and we want to be here for the game. We want to shout for them.”

Paul Swasey, Belizean American
“It brings out a whole bunch of Belizeans here in Houston and people mingle with each other and it just feels great to see so many Belizeans together, just enjoying ourselves and coming together to push for our team and tomorrow everybody will be there hollering for the team and give the guys a big boost so they know that we do have Belizeans here in Houston that love them.”

A stew of unmatched pride and patriotism that would bubble on game day.

Belize's Defence & Mexico's Offensive Futility
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And that leads in to the game. Belizeans across the country – and across the world were locked in to Televisa at 2:30 pm local time to see the match. Some hoped for a miracle, others prayed for anything other than a humiliation. We got a mix of both. Here’s a brief re-cap of a game dominated by Belize’s defence and Mexico’s offensive futility.

Keith Swift Reporting,
The national football selection defended the red and blue with physicality and defensive tenacity. But Mexico completely dominated possession. The midfield defence was soft, creating the opportunity for many shots on goal, but keeper Shane Orio had a world class performance.

Belize had few offensive opportunities like this one in the 7th minute. But the story was defence and at the half – it was nil – nil. And 4 minutes into the second – Belize’s Victor Morales was injured.

He limped off and Belize continued to struggled with its possessions - leaving openings like this. And it was in the 66th minute that Mexico’s Carlos Vela scored a goal following a set kick after a hand ball.

Celebration in the stands but the game continued on at a grinding defensive pace. In stoppage time Jared Borgetti scored on this penalty kick. Saving face somewhat for the Mexicans and breaking the hearts of Belizeans who had hoped for a more respectable one nil finish.

A few points, first Mexico didn’t get any scores out of its offence: the first was off a set kick, and the second was off a penalty kick in stoppage time. Mexico’s surprising offensive futility has been the subject of many articles about the game that we came across on the internet. The exact number of fans who attended was 51,105. For context we note that in other World Cup qualifiers played yesterday. The USA shelled Barbados 8 to nil, while Canada beat St. Vincent 3 to nil.

Madness, Sadness, Sweetness and Scenery from Reliant Stadium
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So far we’ve showed you what happened before the game and on the field. But the most interesting story is what happened after. Our team of Keith Swift and Alex Ellis went into the locker room and to the after party to find out when and why, two - nil is something to celebrate.

Keith Swift Reporting,
On Sunday in Houston the battle lines on game day were drawn early. In the parking lot at the Reliant, Belizeans wore their pride. For most a t-shirt was okay, few dressed their vehicles, some carried posters and flags, and there were those who painted it on them. The parking lot became one big pre-game bash, or as the Americans call it, a tailgate party – except this one was distinctly Belizean.

Belizean Woman #1,
“I am from the Cayo District, San Ignacio. We came here for the game. It is important because our people from Belize, our boys, are coming to play and we are very proud of that. We feel very proud, very good, and so win or lose we are still with the Belizeans.”

Belizean Man #1,
“I am from Corozal, Carolina and I am right here supporting Belize. I have some ceviche which came from Belize too, fresh ceviche. We are all Belizeans so we have to celebrate Belize and I will feel even better after we beat Mexico because I know we could do it.”

Belizean Woman #2,
“I am from Orange Walk, you see my sign, and I am here to represent Belize and I am so proud of it and I am very excited about this game. It is the first time I know Belize is here so I wish Belize the best. You whoo Belize.”

Belizean Woman #3,
“I am from Orange Walk and I have been here almost 10 years. We are enjoying the game and we are so excited and we want Belize to win.”

And once the Belizean tail gaters reached the stadium, the energy exploded and crowd expanded into a mob as Belizeans – drunk with patriotism - proudly jumped and waved.

[Belizeans jumping, chanting, and waving]

Belizean Woman #4,
“I am from Chicago, I was born in Corozal and we are supporting our Belizean team. We came a long way and we are going to go all the way – Belize.”

But it wasn’t all Belize – it was personal and intense because for the Mexicans – this game was over before it even started.

Mexican Woman #1,
“Belize is not going to win.”

Keith Swift,
Why not?

Mexican Woman #1,
“Because Mexico is the best. Don’t you see, all the way it is green. All you see here is green. Mejico Mejico.”

Keith Swift,
What you think about the game?

Mexican Man #1,
“3-0.”

Keith Swift,
Are you intimidated by all the Mexicans?

Belizean Woman #4,
“No we are not intimidated. Belize!”

We are now inside the Reliant Stadium and it is nothing compared to what we saw outside. It is about 17 minutes to game time and you can barely hear me because the crowd inside is just wild. And that crowd included 6 ministers and junior ministers – proudly dressed in their red shirts – and a good showing of Belizean fans. But all that subsided as the countdown to game time began. First there was the presentation of the flag – and then it was the players.

[Players entering field to thunderous applause.]

Followed by the anthems. First it was the Mexican and then Belize.

[Players lined up on field for playing of Mexican and then Belizean national anthems]

There after it was game time – the Belizean fans were wild with abandon. The world watched the game on Telemundo but Belizeans got the play by play from the Love FM team.

The final score was 2 nil in favour of Mexico. We were in the locker room moments after –and this was the scene. Victor Morales, Harrison Tasher, and Ian Gaynair were all nursing injuries – and they were solemn but not sad.

Shane Orio, Team Captain
“I am disappointed. We lost two to nothing. We gave up a late minute penalty and the first goal there was no kind of marking. But these are things that happen and hopefully we will be able to grow and learn from this experience.”

Ian Gaynair, Team Belize
“I really feel bad right now because I got a little injury and I had to come out and I think my team needed me. A little while after I came out the first goal was scored so I really feel bad.”

Keith Swift,
What was your injury?

Ian Gaynair,
“Well I got a little knock on my leg here but after while I started to catch a cramp in my calves so I had to ask for a change.”

Deon McCauley, Team Belize
“Right now I feel alright because of the team that we just faced and we showed them that we can play football and I think that everyone in here should not be sad because we do have a second game in Monterrey and anything can happen in that game.”

Charlie Slusher, Team Belize
“Our team played great, our team played good and I think we could have had a better end but the last couple of minutes in the game, I think we fell asleep but I got to give everyone credit for who went out there. The guys were real warriors and I am sure that they made our country proud tomorrow.”

Ian Gaynair,
“I am really sad, I am really sad to see my team struggle and worked so hard and on the end we give up a goal like that but never the less, we worked hard and I am still proud of my guys.”

Deon McCauley,
“The kind of ball that those guys are playing in Europe, the English premier league. It really makes me feel good to know that we Belizeans can play football at the highest level.”

Keith Swift,
Some people are saying that in some way you guys still won. In your mind is that the case?

Shane Orio,
“A victory? No, we lost. That is the reality. We lost. The only thing we gained was more experience.”

FFB Bertie Chimilio was perhaps the most emotional as he was on the verge of tears.

Bertie Chimilio, FFB President
“We shocked the world today. We gave away 2 goals to Mexico. Mexico did not do anything to win. We made mistakes and for that, for an amateur team, I am very proud of my boys but we have made our mark. I could leave football now because this was my dream. My dream was to leave a mark for South Africa 2010. My work is done. I can continue but my work is done. My dream has been fulfilled. Those who want to take over football can take it after this. After my term is done in 2010, I think I can retire because my dream is done. We won a World Cup series. We advanced to the next round and we gave the biggest team in CONCACAF trouble today.”

The team left the locker room with their heads ups – and for fans that was with good reason because for them – the team won a victory – a moral victory.

Belizean Fan,
“We made it and this is ours and so we are celebrating because we won. We didn’t win the game but we won the spirit. So that is what we have here.”

And after all that, the team moved on directly to Monterrey, Mexico where they prepare for Mexico’s home game on Saturday. Tomorrow, we’ll have more form Houston as the team looks ahead to that difficult match. Again, our trip was made possible courtesy Continental Airlines.

Did anyone get hung up in the soccer goal??

Latest news via the Morning Show from Milo Paz: Bertie Chimilio has not paid the players since they left for Houston and they are now refusing to go to Monterrey. Estimates have the gate take at $8 million and Belize media are questioning just where that money is ending up.