Posted: Wednesday, November 20, 2024. 11:25 am CST.
The Belize Men’s National Team (BMNT) qualified for the Concacaf Gold Cup Preliminary Round (Prelims) after a 2-2 draw with French Guiana on Tuesday, November 19, 2024. Photo Credit: Concacaf
By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The Belize Men’s National Team (BMNT) will face Central American powerhouse Costa Rica in the Concacaf Gold Cup Preliminary Round (Prelims) in March 2025 for a shot at their second Gold Cup.
Belize qualified for the Prelims after eliminating French Guiana in the Concacaf Nations League Play-In with a 4-3 aggregate. Belize beat French Guiana 2-1 on Thursday, November 14, at the FFB Stadium in Belmopan and then drew 2-2 with French Guiana at the Dr. Ir. Franklin Essed Stadium in Paramaribo, Suriname, on Tuesday, November 19.
Belize, who are ranked last of the 14 teams competing in the Prelims, was paired against Costa Rica as they are the top-ranked team of the 14.
Though Belize have lost all six games they have played against Costa Rica since their first encounter in 1995, three of the matches have been very competitive, including a 1-0 loss at the 2013 Gold Cup, Belize’s only participation in the region’s top tournament so far.
Costa Rica won the first encounter 2-1 on December 1, 1995. Incidentally, Belize’s new head coach Charlie Slusher was the BMNT goalkeeper then, when David ‘Manu’ McCaulay scored the opening goal for Belize on Costa Rican soil.
Costa Rica then smashed Belize 7-0 in the Central American Cup on March 17, 1999, in San José, Costa Rica. The third encounter saw Costa Rica win 4-0 on May 23, 2001.
The next two encounters were tight affairs, with Costa Rica winning both 1-0 on January 18 at the Central American Cup in Costa Rica on January 18, 2013, and 1-0 in the Concacaf Gold Cup in the United States on July 13, 2013. Costa Rica went on to win the sixth match 3-0 on January 15, 2017.
After a six-game undefeated run, this might just be Belize’s best chance against the Central American juggernaut. They won twice over Turks and Caicos Islands and Anguilla to top League C’s Group B ahead of the victory and draw against French Guiana in the Concacaf Nations League Play-In.
But Costa Rica are on a completely different level. However, one thing is certain: Slusher has been waiting for a moment like this since their first encounter in 1995.
All seven Prelims matches. Photo Credit: Concacaf.com
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The post Belize to face Costa Rica in Concacaf Gold Cup Prelims for ticket to the Big Dance appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Wednesday, November 20, 2024. 11:25 am CST. The Belize Men’s National Team (BMNT) qualified for the Concacaf Gold Cup Preliminary Round (Prelims) after a 2-2
The post Belize to face Costa Rica in Concacaf Gold Cup Prelims for ticket to the Big Dance appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.