Tonight the Belize National Football Team is resting at a Belize City Hotel in preparation for Sunday's return match against the Dominican Republic. The FFB has put them up at a hotel to ensure that they remain together, focused and not distracted before the game. Rest is a big part of that equation right now because they've been up from 1:00 am this morning travelling back from Santo Domingo. Jules Vasquez was with the team and he has this report:...
Jules Vasquez reporting
It was sleepy eyes all around this morning - as the team had to leave for the Santo Domingo airport at 3:30 am - that's 1:30 Belize time - and that's after a world cup qualifier the day before.
Ian Gaynair, Defender - Belize Jaguars
"Tired, fatigue... you called it the "red eye." everybody eye must still be red. I haven't gotten any rest yet."
Elroy Smith, Captain - Belize Jaguars
"From 1am this morning. You won't feel it like right away, but tomorrow is when that will tell."
Ian Gaynair, Defender - Belize Jaguars
"It's a sacrifice that we have to make to pass this round and I like that none of the players were complaining or anything."
And there was surely no complaining when they got to Miami International Airport - one leg closer to home - and time for a late breakfast - American fast food style.
Throughout the morning, they weren't giddy about the win, or too hyped up - I found them even tempered, and still focused on the job ahead:
Ian Gaynair, Defender - Belize Jaguars
"Everybody is together and one goal, one aim, one objective for this game on Sunday. Everybody is focused. We will get some rest when we reach home."
And speaking of home, they are eager to meet their Dominican opponents at the FFB stadium:
Ian Gaynair, Defender - Belize Jaguars
"Excited yes, to go and meet our Belizean fans - people who will support us. I am sure that that stadium will be full on Sunday - from the result of the first game."
Tickets are on sale at fifty dollars each for Sunday's game and the FFB hopes to get three thousand fans into what would be a rocking stadium. For those who can't make it out to the game - Channel 7 and KREM TV'S joint coverage will start at 3:15 pm for the game, which starts at 4:00 pm.
Belize can advance to the third round of world cup qualifiers with a win, a draw or, even a one - nil loss.
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