Israel Vasquez Jr.

Well as disappointing as it may be, i cant say i didn’t see it coming. Verdes have once again been knocked out, this time in the playoff stage of the RFG Insurance Cup.

Verdes drew 1-1 with Dangriga’s Revolutionary Conquerer’s, but lost because of the away goal rule. They had previously drawn 0-0 in the first game of the home and away series. It must have been bittersweet, not being beaten by the strong Dangriga Team, but at the same time losing on aggregate.

Being the fan that i am, i’m still with them, win, lose or draw, league finals or not. However i cant help but criticize a bit, as i think there is much potential in the verdes team, but it isn’t being realized. Take this last game this past sunday for example, Verdes came in playing some really bad football, making mistakes, left and right, especially in the defense, which led to Dennis “Den-Den” Serano’s goal for the Conquerers. At times it seemed they didnt know or didnt care that they faced elimination, the players were without motivation.

Fortunately, there was a visible change of the starting 11 in the second half, they came in stronger and put pressure on the dangriga team, but failed to capitalize, until the almost the final 10 minutes, by a beautiful goal from Orlando “Leech” Jimenez. It was a pleasure watching them play that way, since i know the players definitely have the potential to reach to the finals and to win the cup eventually.

I think for this next season the managment needs to do some changes. Although they did make some good changes when they became Verdes United, teaming up with Benque’s Football academy added some strengths and players to the team. Pedro Guerra, and other young players made a difference in the defence, while Mora (#23), gave some muscle to mid and forward. However the lack of a strong middle was apparent with the lack of Deris “Colombia” Benavides, who was transferred to San Pedro’s Costa Del Sol Nairi’s. Also it was evident that their lead scorere of last season Marlon “El Matador” Mesa was missed. He was transfered to the New team Santels, this probably due to 2 reasons, 1. being that Santels is Marlon’s Home town team, as i understand its mostly based with players from Santa Elena Town and 2. The possible conflict and competition with the Jimenez Brothers, I think Marlon had to frequently fight to prove himself with the stiff competition especially from Danny Jimenez. This could have been one of the weakening points for verdes this season, because even though the Jimenez brothers are very good at forward, they sometimes lack the ability to capitalize and score goals when most needed, something that Marlon never lacked.

Well these are my commentaries on my favorite team, having followed them closely this season, i can only wait and see what changes the new season will bring, if any.

For now i will have to settle to enjoying semi-final action from the likes of F.C. Belize who will take on Tex mar boys, in which i predict to be an easy game for F.C. Belize, even thought their 22 unbeaten game streak was broken after losing 1-0 to San Pedro. In the Derby of Dangriga, Wagiya and Conquerers will battle it out to prove which one is the better team out of the south. Wagiya is an established team having won the championship, and been closely in contention each season since its inception, while Conquerers is a new team, but a very strong team with the likes of players like Lennox “Criminal” Castillo, the coveted goalkeeper Woodrow West, and Veteran Maestro Norman “tilliman” Nunez Pipersburgh. I’m predicting a 1-1 draw in this derby, which will lead to penalty kicks. For the Finals i’m predicting F.C. Belize *once again VS Wagiya. From there on its the better team that wins. Though i wouldn’t be surprised it being F.C. Belize again.

** I wouldn’t be that surprised however if Conquerer’s make it through, especially if they reach Penalty kicks, as they have in Woodrow West one of the Best Goalkeepers in the league right now.