As we told you at the top of the newscast - Belize beat Nicaragua this evening in dramatic fashion in the 2013 Copa Ceontroamercana. This means the team is poised to advance to the semifinals and unto the next qualifier the Gold Cup - which is a historic first.
That's reason for all of us to celebrate, but none more than the news executive of the FFB - for whom this is the first major international showing. We spoke to Public Relations Officers for the FFB and they gave us a synopsis of what they thought of how the game was played and its importance:..
Luis Pena, PR Officer - FFB
"The game was well played as you can see. The National Team selection for Belize played an exceptional game. We were up one nil and then we were draw and then again Deon Mcauley scored a goal in extra time, so this gives Belize a very good position to qualify for the Goal Cup."
Reporter
"This game itself, even if we do advance - it's a first for Belize isn't it?"
Luis Pena, PR Officer - FFB
"It's a first, its history in the making for Belize we are all excited. Now you have to watch the game at 8pm because Costa Rica and Guatemala will battle it out. Guatemala has a lot on the line now because if Guatemala loses or draws automatically Belize may advance."
Reporter
"How strong is the Guatemalan team compare to the Costa Rica team?"
Marlon Kuylen, Executive Member - FFB
"Costa Rica is favored to win the whole tournament. The pressure in on Guatemala now for sure."
Reporter
"Do you have a reason to route against Guatemala tonight?"
Marlon Kuylen, Executive Member - FFB
"Definitely, I am hoping too that because our national team coach is Costa Rican - the Costa Rican team would want to do even better yet to help our coach and our team to advance."
Daniel Ortiz
"We notice that in the second half of the game Nicaragua controlled a lot of the balls. Can you tell us what factors as professionals played into effect?"
Luis Pena, PR Officer - FFB
"What I believe happen is that the first goal I think we got a little bit complacent but then again when Nicaragua tied the game then it was time to step up to the big times."
Reporter
"Assuming then that Guatemala would lose the game tonight who do we play? What's the competition like, how do we advance in this tournament?"
Marlon Kuylen, Executive Member - FFB
"It's gets tougher because then we are going up against the 3 best teams in Central America. On a note here, that we must be proud because regardless, our league is a semi-professional, we are playing guys that are playing professionally, so this is a huge step in the right direction for us."
Reporter
"I know it's a team effort but what does the future say about the Woodrow West and Mr. Mcauley?"
Marlon Kuylen, Executive Member - FFB
"I am positive that in the very near future these guys will be getting contracts to go and play internationally. Belize has the talent and it's a pity that the past federation didn't capitalize on what we had and it gives me great pleasure to see that in just 10 short months that we have accomplished what we have done and we may be patting ourselves on our shoulders but you know what - it's the team, it's the players and their families behind them and our sponsors of course that made this possible."
The outcome of tonight's game between Guatemala and Costa Rica will determine if Belize advances. That will be played tonight at 8:00.
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