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Tonight, Belize’s Under 17 National Football Team is finishing up their travel to Tampa, Florida. In 3 days, they will be competing in the qualifier rounds of the CONCACAF U-17 championships.

The team has been training for over a year now, and they believe that team Belize has a fair chance of advancing to the the next round of the tournament.

7News met the team at the airport this morning, and here’s what the FFB’s Technical Development Director had to say about the preparation of these talented young footballers over the past few months:

Phillip Marin - Technical Development Director, FFB

"The Belize U-17 selection, the national team Is going to El Salvador, to participate in the qualifiers for the CONCACAF- U-17 championships. We have a high percentage chance of qualifying in this group because our opponents are Antigua, Dominica, and the Dominican Republic. The guys are ready; they are prepared."

Jovaunn Ramos - Midfielder, U-17 Team

"I believe that these teams are very strong, and we have been preparing for them for a long time. I believe we can top the group. This opportunity is a one of a kind, you know. You’ve got to make use of what these type ofopportunities, getting to market your talent, and sell yourself to other scouts and just get this opportunity."

Phillip Marin

"We believe that we that we can advance in this group because the guys have been together more than a year now. We’re playing a system. We’re playing a playing style, and they all understand. All we have to do now is work on our weaknesses, which is the speed of play, to be more comfortable with the ball, to improve our first touch. [We need] to instil in them that move up, on and off the ball, and to ensure we that when we have the opportunity to capitalise up front, we capitalise. We need to encourage our defender to be more comfortable to the back, and to communicate. And if they communicate within themselves, then I believe that we will have a great chance to qualify in Florida."

The tournament starts on Monday, April 1, and it concludes on April 10th. We’ll tell you how the team performs in their matches against Antigua, Dominica, and the Dominican Republic.

Last night in a friendly, the team fell 4 nil to El Salvador which beat them on their home field.