Photo Credit: FFB
By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The U20 Belize Men’s National Team (U20 BMNT) suffered a 7–2 defeat to Suriname in their opening match of the Concacaf U20 Qualifiers at Estadio Miguel Chocorron Buitrago in Managua, Nicaragua.
Belize made an ideal start in the 4th minute, when captain Devin Garbutt pounced on a failed defensive clearance and finished inside the box to give Belize a 1–0 lead. But Suriname responded with a sustained attacking surge led by prolific forward Xavi Dors, who scored four times in the first half.
Dors equalized from the penalty spot in the 17th minute, then put Suriname ahead 2–1 in the 24th minute with a finish from open play. Suriname’s third goal came in the 26th minute in an unfortunate sequence for Belize. Goalkeeper Marques Ingram deflected a dangerous ball, and as Anderson Pixabaj attempted to clear the rebound, the ball bounced off him and into the net, giving Suriname a 3–1 lead.
Dors completed his hat‑trick in the 31st minute, and Belize responded two minutes later when Tyrone Linares scored in the 33rd minute to make it 4–2. But Dors struck again in the 37th minute, netting his fourth of the match.
Belize nearly added a third before halftime when the Suriname goalkeeper came off his line in the 44th minute, but a long‑range attempt from half field rolled wide.
Suriname added two more goals late in the second half. In the 77th minute, Pixabaj was again unlucky. Chasing Jenairo Ligeon (#12) into the box, he stretched from behind to clear, but his attempted clearance deflected into the Belize goal, resulting in his second own goal of the match.
Suriname’s seventh came in the 79th minute, when Ligeon capitalized on a misplaced pass. Christopher Glenn, working down the right flank, attempted to play the ball into the 18‑yard box for Darwin Saravia, but the pass fell short. Ligeon reached it first and fired past Ingram to seal the 7–2 scoreline.
Belize now look to regroup ahead of their next group match against Grenada in Managua.
Remaining Group A Matches for Belize
(All matches at Estadio Miguel Chocorron Buitrago, Managua)
- Feb 25 — Belize vs Grenada, 2:00 pm
- Feb 27 — Belize vs French Guiana, 2:00 pm
- Mar 1 — Belize vs El Salvador, 8:00 pm
- Mar 3 — Belize vs Saint Martin, 5:00 pm
The post U20 BMNT fall 7–2 to Suriname in Concacaf U20 Qualifiers in Managua appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Photo Credit: FFB By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The U20 Belize Men’s National Team (U20 BMNT) suffered a 7–2 defeat to Suriname in their opening match of the Concacaf U20 Qualifiers at Estadio Miguel Chocorron Buitrago in Managua, Nicaragua. Belize made an ideal start in the 4th minute, when captain Devin Garbutt pounced on a failed
The post U20 BMNT fall 7–2 to Suriname in Concacaf U20 Qualifiers in Managua appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
