At around 2 p.m. this afternoon in the Dominican Republic, the Belize National Team, the Jaguars, took to the football pitch to face off against that country's national team and after 90 minutes of play time, plus injury time, the Jaguars managed to defeat the DR Team 2 goals to 1.
It's a huge victory, and Belize's two goals were scored by the country's premier striker, Deon McCauley, who put one behind the net early in the first half. The Dominican Republic manage to sneak one past Belize Goal Keeper Shane Orio, but late in the game, McCauley made a repeat performance gave Belize a 2 second goal.
7New Director Jules Vasquez is in the Dominican Republic right now, and right after the game, he got a reaction from the players about the big time performance they put on get this result. Here's what they had to say:
Deon McCauley, Scored 2 Goals
"The first goal was a penalty. Thank God that the ball rebound back in my path and I ended up putting the ball in the back of the net and the other goal late in the game that was wonderful. A wonderful pass from Evan Mariano on the right wing and I was able to displace the goal keeper and the defender and put the ball in open goal. That's just a striker's instinct in the last moment of any game. We have to try and still win the game no matter what score it is."
Shane Moody Orio, Goalkeeper
"Very difficult game Jules. We got an early goal and I think that that gave us a lot of confidence, but during the second half the Dominican team they did a lot of adjustments; they change from playing with one forward, they started with two and then at the end of the game they started with three. After the 1-1 we stumbled a little bit, but thank God we were able to gain on composure back and play as a unit and the last goal that Deon scored gave us the victory."
Charlie Slusher, Assistant Coach
"I think we must be happy that we won the game first of all. We achieved our goal. I think we kind of stray from some of our game plan early in the game. I think one of the biggest problems is that we started to drop back too deep in our defense and started to be defensive. We never did practice to lay back and stay in our half and defend and I think that created a lot of problems for us."
Deon McCauley, Scored 2 Goals
"I think the team was complacent going into the second half with the 1-nil win and we weren't focusing on the game anymore. That's a thing that we have to address. We have to stay focus for 90 minutes every time we step on the field. There were some instances that they were really pressuring us and we were crumbling in the back. I mean, that happens in football sometimes. We just have to go back to square one, look at the game and reevaluate ourselves and come out back Sunday and try to win again."
Shane Moody Orio, Goalkeeper
"Factors and things like this will always come up in a football game and like I told the team today, the difference is that we were able to capitalize on out two opportunities and that's the big difference. But again, the series is not over, we need to finish it at home. The same way we came over here and win, the Dominica team could go to Belize and win. So, we need to be focused, we need to know that okay, whatever celebration that is going to happen, it has to be here in the locker room and stays here in the locker room. Because from here we need to go to the pool, try to relax and think about the game. The series is not over. Yes, we have an advantage, we won the first leg, but there is a second leg and the most important thing is that we have 90 minutes and hope that the people will come out and support us and that we will be at home."
Deon McCauley, Scored 2 Goals
"It's just the support of the country. This a World Cup qualifying and we have to be prideful and play from our hearts and that's what we will bring on Sunday as well."
Belize returns to the FFB Stadium in Belmopan where they will take on the DR National Team at the FFB Stadium on Sunday. Later on in the news, we'll show you a bit more from the team in the Santo Domingo.
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