Port Layola FC falls, 4-1, to Antigua GFC in CONCACAF Central American Cup

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Photo: Team captains, (l to r) Antigua’s Jose Ardon vs Port Layola’s Ian Gaynair

by William Ysaguirre

BELMOPAN, Tues. July 30, 2024

Port Layola lost, 4-1, to Antigua GFC of Guatemala in the Belizean PLB champion’s CONCACAF debut in Group C of the 2024 Central American Cup, in a game that was played at the Football Federation of Belize Stadium in Belmopan on Tuesday evening, July 30. (Other Group C members include CA Independiente of Panama, CD Aguila of El Salvador, and CD Olimpia of Honduras.)

Antigua’s central defender José Ardón scored a hat trick (14’, 58’ and 69’), the first of his goals coming from just outside the 18-yard penalty box.

Latrell Middleton and Colombian import Andres Orozco led Port’s attack, supported by Rene Leslie and Orlando “Bredda” Velasquez on the wings, and Naim “Nemo” Wilson and Colombian import Miguel Garcia in central midfield. Wilson created some excitement with a shot that sailed over the crossbar, but the Antigua defense dominated possession and shut them out for the first 30 minutes of play.

After 30 minutes of play it began to rain, and Middleton was able to exploit the slippery conditions of the wet field to penetrate the Antigua defense for a fast-breaking attack that drew goalkeeper Luis Moran off his line. Moran was down at the edge of the penalty box when Middleton slotted the ball across to Rene Leslie on the left, and it was child’s play for Leslie (33’) to tap the ball into the empty net, just inside the left upright.

Andres Orozco was also able to slip the ball between Moran’s legs to find the back of the net at the 42nd minute, but he was ruled offside. Veteran Ian Gaynair anchored the Port defense which also featured Jarret Davis, Juan Ocampo Guzman and Norman Anderson, in front of Colombian goalkeeper Oscar Palomino. The first half ended with the clubs in a 1-1 tie.

The rain stopped after intermission, and Port Layola was outplayed tactically in the second half. The visitors dismantled Port’s defense by opening up space, inviting them into their half, where the Antigua defense locked off their goal area and stole the ball. The Port defenders were caught out of position and could not get back fast enough to defend against the visitors’ swift counterattacks. Palomino was kept busy making acrobatic saves to stop the shots at goal, but he could not stop them all. Antigua’s Brazilian striker Romario da Silva served up the ball on the edge of the goal area for Ardon’s 2nd goal (58’) and executed a corner kick that Ardon finished with a header into the net (69’).

Port’s technical director Charlie Slusher introduced Gilroy “Laing” Thurton, Leocadio “Peely” Briceño and Jamal Young, replacing Garcia, Velasquez and Leslie in a vain attempt to regain the initiative. Jesse “Beast” August replaced Orozco, and Shawn Young substituted for Middleton.

Antigua also reinforced their attacks with Ditter Lang, Jose Espinoza, Dewinder Bradley and Dennis Ramirez who found the back of the net (87’) to finish a pass from José Gálvez, cementing the final score of 4-1.

Port faces a more formidable opponent in the Honduras champion, CD Olimpia, whom they play next Thursday, August 8, at the FFB Stadium.

Olimpia is reputedly one of the strongest teams in Central America right now. Before coming to Belize, they are first scheduled to host CA Independiente of Panama in both their tournament debuts on Thursday, August 1, in Honduras; while Antigua GFC will be hosting CD Aguila for their tournament opener on August 6.

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