New Verdes striker, Colombian Julián Rojas, score three goals in the Belmopan Championship. Photo Credit: Verdes FC
By Rubén Morales Iglesias: Verdes claimed their third consecutive pre‑season championship by defeating Napoles 11–10 on penalties after a 2–2 draw in the final of the Belmopan Championship at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium on Thursday night.
A marathon shootout decides the title
The final produced one of the most dramatic endings in the tournament’s short history. After a 2–2 draw in regulation time, Verdes and Napoles went to a penalty shootout that stretched to 14 rounds each. Napoles missed four penalties, while Verdes missed three, giving the Green Machine an 11–10 victory and their third straight pre‑season crown.
Four goals in regulation
The match, played in two 35‑minute halves, delivered excitement from the outset.
Verdes went ahead in the 27th minute through Jaylen Lennan, but Napoles responded quickly when Kalid Martinez equalized in the 36th.
Just before halftime, Julian Rojas restored Verdes’ lead in the 45th minute, only for Napoles to answer immediately. Jaylen Myers struck in the 46th, sending the teams into the break level at 2–2. Neither side could break the deadlock in the second half, forcing the dramatic shootout.
Wingz Police take third place
Belmopan 1st Division club Wingz Police claimed third place, edging Belmopan FC 3–1 on penalties after a 1–1 draw.
Belmopan FC struck early through Jacobo Henao in the 5th minute, but Tyron Hernandez equalized for Wingz Police in the 16th, and the match eventually went to penalties.
How the finalists reached the final
In the opening round, Napoles advanced by edging Wingz Police 1–0, courtesy of a 62nd‑minute goal by Sydney Petillo.
In the other semi‑final, Verdes defeated Belmopan FC 3–1, with Julian Rojas scoring in the 17th and 44th minutes, and Desmond Wade adding another in the 25th.
Belmopan’s Freybin Pagoada had tied the match at 1–1 in the 20th, but Verdes took control from there.
The tournament was organized by Marvin Ottley, with support from Kursha Pollard and Jarret Davis, continuing a growing tradition of structured pre‑season competition in the PLB. This year’s edition followed the same knockout format used in recent years: two semi‑finals, a third‑place match, and a championship final — all played on George Price Day.
The event also carried $4,000 in cash prizes, with $2,500 for the winners, $1,000 for the subchampions, and $500 for third place.
A growing pre‑season dynasty
Verdes’ victory completes a three‑year sweep of the major pre‑season tournaments:
- 2024 – Western Championship (defeated Benque Viejo United 2–1)
- 2025 – Belmopan Championship
- 2026 – Belmopan Championship (current title)
Their consistency across venues, formats, and opponents has made them the benchmark for pre‑season preparation in Belizean football — and they now head into the new campaign with momentum, as the Premier League of Belize kicks off this weekend.
The post Verdes capture Belmopan Championship with dramatic 11–10 shootout win over Napoles appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
New Verdes striker, Colombian Julián Rojas, score three goals in the Belmopan Championship. Photo Credit: Verdes FC By Rubén Morales Iglesias: Verdes claimed their third consecutive pre‑season championship by defeating Napoles 11–10 on penalties after a 2–2 draw in the final of the Belmopan Championship at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium on Thursday night. A marathon
The post Verdes capture Belmopan Championship with dramatic 11–10 shootout win over Napoles appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.