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One week ago Belize’s national football selection made history when they won round one of the 2010 World Cup qualifying matches. It’s historic because in the modern history of Belizean football – no other Belizean selection has made it past round one. It’s a big victory but there is limited time for celebration because Belize now advances to round 2 where we’ll face the region’s powerhouse – Mexico. And while St. Kitts may have been an overrated team – in CONCACAF, Mexico is ranked number one while Belize is ranked 25 out of the 33 countries. Worldwide – Belize is ranked 176th out of 201 countries and Mexico is at number 16.

But for the team - those are just numbers – they have heart and at a press conference yesterday told the media that they are ready to play ball. Keith Swift has the story.

Keith Swift Reporting,
Yesterday with horns honking – and in their red and blue jerseys - the players on Belize‘s national football selection celebrated their victory against St. Kitts with a motorcade through the city. And what a victory it was for the team which went in as the underdogs – and came out on top.

Deon McCauley, Member – National Football Selection
“I am very proud to win the first World Cup qualifier for Belize and I think that we played a very very good game. I have to give the players all the credit.”

Dr. Bertie Chimilio, President - FFB
“I guess last week after the 1-1 draw there were lots of emotions. We just couldn’t believe it. It has come with a lot of hard work. The U-17 teams, the Under 20 teams, the 15-0 and the 10-0 and no one ever believed in these young men. I remember the 23-0 in Costa Rica back in 2003 was very very hard to accept. Here we are now, the jaguars as FIFA has called us, the jaguars of Belize. We were searching for a name and now they have given us a name. We are now poised to meet the most powerful team in CONCACAF –m that is Mexico.

Friends, players this was not achieved easily. As Mr. Pech alluded to, it took a lot of money and we needed more. However here we are. We are here because we’ve worked hard.”

Charlie Slusher, Member- National Football Selection
“I am very proud of the team and I have always said that before I stop playing I want to see my country get a name in the sport of football because I believe that we have some of the best players. We have great which we have never been able to really put together and its good to see that we finally put it together. And I think that we needed to cross this bridge so that we can at least get some respect as well as the most important part, confidence in ourselves.”

But along with that confidence – there has been controversy. Belize’s home game was played in Guatemala. And in game 2 in St. Kitts- they played without their coach - Guatemalan Palmiro Salas and his assistant because they couldn’t get u.s. visas – and were notably absent yesterday.

Maggie Hulse, General Secretary – FFB
“Mr. Palmiro does not have any documentation in regards to being in Belize. Mr. Palmiro had a document from the US Embassy to provide x, y, z for the US Embassy in order to get his visa. He was not refused on the first day. We returned, he never attempted to even get what documents he was supposed to get. Up to date Mr. Palmiro has not gotten any of his information together in order.”

Rueben Morales Iglesias, LOVE FM
“You said that Palmiro didn’t have any Belizean documentation. Is he here illegally? Did you employ him illegally?”

Dr. Bertie Chimilio,
“We’re not here to answer that Rueben, we’re to answer football matters. We are here to answer matters. We did not employ him illegally.”

But with coach Salas or not – the team will face Mexico in June and Chimilio confirmed that it won’t be in Belize – because still – we have no suitable stadium.

Dr. Bertie Chimilio,
“If you look at the USSoccer website it has been posted for Los Angeles. To play football in the United States is not cheap. So we’ve got a sponsor and that sponsor is looking at other venues. So hopefully by next week we could inform the local press and the Belizeans where we definitely will be playing.”

But the players and coaching staff are more concerned about their next opponent – Mexico because whether its played in Belize- or California – it’ll be tough.

Deon McCauley,
“It doesn’t really matter where the game will be played to me because really I just want to be there to play for my country, especially against Mexico and I don’t feel any sentiment about where the game will be played. My mind is basically focused on playing the game and trying to get the best results I can for my country.”

Charlie Slusher,
“We always love to play game here but we can’t get caught up with, we already understand why the game cannot play here so we got to move on from there. We cannot be as players, we cannot go with all that burden on our backs on the field – we have to leave it behind.”

John Moody, FFB
“We have a pretty good idea of the style that the Mexican players play but once we get the tapes, we will be in a position to sort of work or make plans to sort of counter.”

It is interesting to note that this will be Charlie Slusher’s last run on a national team while it is Deon McCauley’s first. The game against Mexico is scheduled for June 14th. It is supposed to be a home game but it will be played at either the Los Angeles Coliseum in LA or the Reliant Stadium in Houston. The return match is June 21st and that will be played in Monterrey, Mexico.