BWNT show late spark through Khalydia Velasquez after Dominican Republic control early stages
Belize Women’s National Team – Photo Credit:FFB
By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The Belize Women’s National Team (BWNT) head into halftime trailing 3–1 against the Dominican Republic in Santiago after a difficult opening half in their first‑ever meeting at this level of the Concacaf W Qualifiers. The hosts controlled the tempo from kickoff, but Belize found a lifeline in stoppage time through Khalydia Velasquez.
The Dominican Republic struck first in the 16th minute, when Brianne Reid rose above the defence to head home from a right‑side delivery. Two minutes later, Mia Asenjo doubled the lead, receiving a pass in open play, beating Shante Chacon on the dribble, cutting inside through the middle, and placing her finish to the right of goalkeeper Angelica Lopez.
The pressure continued to mount, and in the 23rd minute, a long‑range effort took a faint touch off Gabriella Cuevas — the ball scraping her head — before crashing off the post and bouncing inward. The slight deflection wrong‑footed the defence, and Lopez appeared to anticipate it drifting wide before the inward bounce carried it over the line.
By the 27th minute, the Dominican Republic had already produced eight shots, while Belize were still searching for their first attempt. The hosts also held 72% possession, forcing the BWNT into deep defensive phases for long stretches.
Belize suffered an additional setback in the 19th minute, when defender Jaysha Bernardez twisted her left ankle after clearing the ball under pressure. She continued cautiously as the team reorganized defensively.
Despite the difficult half, Belize found a breakthrough in 45+1’. Khalydia Velasquez beat Cuevas on the run, broke into space, and finished low to bring the BWNT back into the match at 3–1. The goal provided a much‑needed lift heading into the break.
The match kicked off at 5:00 pm Belize time at Estadio Cibao, with Isabel Barillas of El Salvador officiating. Belize, ranked 171st in the FIFA Women’s World Ranking, are facing a Dominican Republic side ranked 99th, and the difference in rhythm and home advantage has been evident — but Velasquez’s late strike gives Belize something to build on for the second half.
The post Halftime — Belize pull one back but trail 3–1 to Dominican Republic appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
BWNT show late spark through Khalydia Velasquez after Dominican Republic control early stages Belize Women’s National Team – Photo Credit:FFB By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The Belize Women’s National Team (BWNT) head into halftime trailing 3–1 against the Dominican Republic in Santiago after a difficult opening half in their first‑ever meeting at this level of the
The post Halftime — Belize pull one back but trail 3–1 to Dominican Republic appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
