Mexico versus Belize, the odds seemed insurmountable, a country of
110 million, versus a country of point three million, a national football team
ranked 15 worldwide, compared to a team which had just moved up from dead last
to 157th. And sure enough Mexico was excessively confident, so much so that
Mexican sports commentators were clowning Belize on Televisa before the game
started, saying our team practiced in the jungle and that we dance to the sound
of milk pans, not music. Well they’re not making jokes tonight, no sir.
True, Belize did not beat Mexico but yesterday afternoon at the Reliant Stadium
in Houston Texas our national team performed competently, admirably and with
dignity, suffocating the Mexican offence with relentless defence and frustrating
its stars with our quickness and physicality.
Tonight, we’ll have a trio of stories on the game and the event
that it was. Our team of Keith Swift and Alex Ellis were in Houston through
the courtesy of Continental Airlines. They begin with this story of what it
was like, before the game.
Keith Swift Reporting,
The mood was set before we even left the airport as boisterous Mexican fans
and expectant media commandeered the lobby. They were awaiting the arrival of
their team – making it clear from early that H-Town is their town.
[Mexicans Chanting ‘Mejico’]
And when they did arrive – the Mexican players got star treatment –
lights camera and autographs.
Across town, we were on the bus with team Belize as they traveled to the international
soccer park where they posed for this photo op with Sports Minister Marcel Cardona 
and signed autographs. And from the park – it was to the Reliant Stadium
for their first practice session.
Relatively speaking, what we saw at the airport was nothing. We are inside
the Reliant Stadium right now. It is on this field that the Belize National
Team will be battling Mexico tomorrow. Now the Reliant Stadium is Houston’s
biggest sports arena, capable of holding 70,000 people and the clincher is that
most of the people in those seats tomorrow will be Mexicans.
But on Saturday afternoon, 70,000 screaming fans weren’t there. In fact,
with the exception of Channel 7 and the international media, the Belize team
had the Reliant to themselves. The 21 players had a comfortable 60 minutes to 
practice, stretch, and then huddle.
[Team Chanting]
It was 24 hours before the game of their lives and there was no turning back,
the world would be watching and ESPN was already talking to them.
Danny Jiminez, Team Belize
“I am just a little anxious to play this game and get it over with
it and I can’t just wait for the world to get to know the kind of level
Belize is on and like I said, I am just anxious for this game to come and I
can’t wait for tomorrow.”
Keith Swift,
As you look around the stadium and see its size, what’s going through
your mind?
Danny Jiminez,
“Well I just say it is a wonderful place to play football. Nothing 
can go wrong. It is not like other fields where you have to run and watch where
you run because holes and so are in the field. Here it is a nice pitch and everything
and play ball, that is all this place is built for.”
Keith Swift,
Are you going to be able to sleep, are you going to be nervous?
Danny Jiminez,
“Well I won’t be nervous but it will be a lot of thinking about
the game and thing and like I said, I will can’t wait. I maybe won’t
even get enough sleep because I will be waiting to see daylight.”
Keith Swift,
What will the hours leading up to the game be like for you? Will you be able
to get sleep?
Danny Jiminez,
“Well I will really need to get some rest because for the whole of
today we’ve been moving around and I really like I need some rest so I
think I will get enough rest tonight. I don’t think it will be much of
a impact about the game. Even though I will be thinking about it.”
And while Danny and Deon had to wait a night – Shane Orio has waited
his entire career.
Shane Orio, Team Captain
“I dream of myself and Belize being at the World Cup in 2010 or 2014. 
That is my dream and that is my hope and every time I sleep, I dream of it,
I imagine it. So with things like these, you look back at all the hard work
you have put in back in Belize and in Costa Rica and you realize it really pays
off.”
And far away from the Reliant Stadium, here at the International Soccer Field
the game has already begun. It is a friendly match between Belizean teams but 
it proves that for at least this weekend, Houston is Belize’s home away
from home as Belizeans from across America and from Belize have come here to
rally for their country.
Petrona Arnold, Belizean American
“It is like I am on top. I’ve always been proud of being a Belizean
but having Belize coming to us, it is awesome. It is an awesome feeling.”
Sharlene Arzu, Belizean American
“We know our Belizean team is good. If they can pull it out, more
power to them. Yes, we are behind them. We are going to support them no matter
what. No matter what. I think it is great that they are on the national stage.
So that is more important than winning or losing but of course we want them
to win. So we are going to be behind them.”
Englebert Cherrington, Belizean in Houston
“I’m excited, it is nice to see the little country doing good,
it is nice. I like it. I will be out here cheering them on, all day and night,
as long as we get that win. I am here. If they give 110% out there and they
represent, that’s good enough but winning is the ultimate goal and if
you don’t win, then you will make an additional statement and that is
what we’re here for – to win.”
Diana Buckley, Belizean American
“We live in Houston, in America, and you meet people and they say 
we have an accent and ask where are we from. I say I am from Belize and no one
knows Belize. So this actually puts Belize on the map. We have to let them know
that they are doing something good for the country. It is a good opportunity
for them and so we should be supporting them because they worked real hard to
get here. So win lose or draw tomorrow, we will always be behind them. To me,
getting here is enough because they made it this far. We need to support them.”
Leon Staine, Belizean
“There is nothing embarrassing about it. They are coming out their
first round and going into the second round. It is a historic moment like this
and there is nothing embarrassing about it. At least we have to show up, play
the game, do the best we could and let the chips fall where they may.”
Lucinda Carillo, Belizean Living in Dallas
“We came from Dallas. We’ve lived here for like 12 years already.
We are excited to see our friends, our fellow Belizeans and we want to be here
for the game. We want to shout for them.”
Paul Swasey, Belizean American
“It brings out a whole bunch of Belizeans here in Houston and people
mingle with each other and it just feels great to see so many Belizeans together,
just enjoying ourselves and coming together to push for our team and tomorrow
everybody will be there hollering for the team and give the guys a big boost
so they know that we do have Belizeans here in Houston that love them.”
A stew of unmatched pride and patriotism that would bubble on game
day.
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