7 News Belize

Belizeans “Represented” At Rio Tinto
posted (July 15, 2013)
At the top of the news we told you about the much applauded effort from team Belize in Utah at the Rio Tinto stadium. For that, it was rewarded with major love from its fans. You might have thought that with Utah being so remote and so far removed from the population centers where the Belizean Diaspora gather that only a few fans would show….but they were there plentifully. In fact, a lot of the folks we saw in Portland, also turned up in Salt Lake. Jules Vasquez spoke to them:…

Jules Vasquez reporting
In Salt Lake City, Belize was -as they say 'in the house', with flags, signs and an abundance of team spirit.

"We're here supporting our Belizeans, win,loose or draw - we are all here for them to support them 100% - 'this da fu we Belize!'

"We have to support our team and big them up, we have to follow them."

Jules Vasquez
"From where did you come from this time?"

"Same California."

Jules Vasquez
"You drove back?"

"Yes, I had to go to work."

Jules Vasquez
"So how many hours have you logged?"

"Today - 15 again."

"We came here from LA."

Jules Vasquez
"How long was the drive?"

"About ten hours."

Jules Vasquez
"How does it feel to be here in Utah, Salt Lake City?"

"Well right now I'm just trying to show support because I know we have it this time because the US gave us a 'lick' but we're coming back."

Jules Vasquez
"So why did you all feel it important to come all these hours driving?"

"Oh men, this is the best thing that has happened on the planet today. It's not everyday a Belize team gets qualified for the tournament - to play this kind of caliber game so we were very excited about it."

Jules Vasquez
"How long have you guys been living here?"

"Oh, I've been here almost 40 years..Marie?"

"13 years."

Jules Vasquez
"You all remember anything as significant as this?"

"I honestly think this is one of the biggest things in sports and we're really happy to be a part of this."

Jules Vasquez
"Are you all prepared to go in there and make a sufficient level of noise?"

"We haven't been talking to each other all morning, because we want to preserve our voices and make a lot of noise - then again I want to big up my grand- nephew, he's playing with the team, Gaynair."

Jules Vasquez
"You know Belize is always outnumbered with regards to the fans right?"

"Yes but we will overcome that."

Jules Vasquez
"So you will represent in there?"

"Yes, we have our flag and we have support - they need it." "It makes me feel proud because we've come along way and just that brought me out here."

Jules Vasquez
"Now, you probably wouldn't have come to Salt Lake City - do you feel like a stranger out here?"

"No, I'm proud to come out here - I have my umbrella and my flags. I'm proud to represent my country out here."

"You know what, it's such an honor to be here because you know Belize hasn't been in these CONCACAF games since back in the 80's so it's awesome that they're up there and we got to support."

"We came here to support our team - win or don't win, we're 100% Belizean. We love them and wish them good luck."

Jules Vasquez
"So why was it so important to be here for the game?"

"We gotta support the country because it's about time we do something."

Jules Vasquez
"You feel proud to fly that flag today?"

"Feel very proud to fly the Belizean flag. In our hearts they are number one. We're good and we're going to win this game.







"We are just happy to be here to support them - win, loose or draw. We know that they're going to do their best and even if they don't win they are still winners to us."

"We're here to support the team - all the way"

Jules Vasquez
"How much hours did you drive?"





"We did a pit stop at Vegas so I don't remember the hours anymore."

Jules Vasquez
"So how will you all represent at today's game?"







"Well we will shout and we will pray for our selection, for our little country but hopefully at least a draw."

"I came from Denver, Colorado to come and see the Belize team play - excitement in the air."

Jules Vasquez
"How do you feel at that moment when they take the pitch and when they come on the field and they announce Belize?"

"Words cannot express the feeling - I'm overjoyed to be here to see my boys, to see my flag."

Jules Vasquez
"Why did you feel it important to come?"

"Very important because we have to come and support our players - they are number one for us."

People drove hours to get here – this group drove over a thousand miles – almost a full day on the road:.

Jules Vasquez
"Where are you from?"

"I'm from Chicago, Illinois and I'm here to support my Belize Jaguars and my nephew McCauley. We're here to support the team we want them to do the best they can."

Jules Vasquez
"I hope you all make noise in there."

"We will scream, we will jump - we are 100% Belizean."

"I've been here like ten years but this is where we're going do it."

"You know we lost the first game with the United States but nevertheless we still keep the hope alive - we have a very good team. We are very supportive and we're still winners eventhough we lost and we're always going to be winners."

"This is history for the country, we love our country no matter where we are in the world."

"Yesterday about 8:00 non stop we drove about 1400 miles."

"It's amazing too because what kind of odds is that they coming to play in Utah - they're not even playing the United States but they're here in Utah, 20 minutes away so we're all excited to be able to come and watch the game."

"My name is Sandra and I come from Cayo, San Ignacio and I live in Utah and I'm so exicted."

Jules Vasquez
"Has this been a validation for you all - well we're here now."

"Yes we are here - everyday we talk about Belize to our American friends and now they know about Belize and they Facebook it. They gave the chance for the world to see Belize - we love you Belize - we're so excited."

Jules Vasquez
"What does it mean to you to have your country playing in your home state."

"It's always a good thing to be here in my home state so it's always a pleasure to support my Belizean people here."

"I actually live here in Salt Lake city but I'm from Belize so yay for Belize."

"We never thought that we'd be able to be this close to our Belizean people and so it feel so good that we could be this close and be this close to home - this feels like home for us right now."

But once in the vast twenty thousand seat stadium, the Belizean crowd did not seems all that mighty - still they were seen and appreciated:

"Top seller so far is Belize - number one seller."

Jules Vasquez
"Are you surprised?"

"No, Belize is a great country and everybody is coming to celebrate the game and we've sold a lot of t-shirts so far for this game."

Ian Mork
"In all the games that we've been to so far - the Belizean support has been outstanding so it really carried us through today and the players left their heart and soul our there so we appreciate it."

Tomorrow, we'll have more from Salt Lake as Jules will show you the win lose or draw after party at the hotel in Salt Lake.

But, tonight the news is the next game against Cuba. As we told you at the top, Belize needs a win and a convincing one to advance. For that, they will have Woodrow West in goal. Coach Mork today confirmed that to keep the momentum going, he will have West in Goal. In other news, HArrison Tasher is reported to have ongoing stomach discomfort and will not play.

Tomorrow's game will play at 3:30 on channel 7

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