Belize to forfeit?

[Canadian_Supporter]

Rumour has it that Belize might not be coming to Canada. It has been reported on Global news that the fixtures might not go ahead because Belize might not show up.

Now, someone has just called the CSA, and as far as the CSA knows... Belize is on their way. I can't see why Belize might now show up because the CSA is paying all of their expenses. The only reason might be because of the internal struggle in Belizean soccer circles right now.

Hopefully Belize will land in Canada soon and the fixtures will go ahead.

I post news when I have it....

[Canadian_Supporter]

According to an article in a Belizean newspaper today the Belize national team was supposed to leave for Canada today.

[beachesl]

Rumour has it that Belize might not be coming to Canada. It has been reported on Global news that the fixtures might not go ahead because Belize might not show up.

Now, someone has just called the CSA, and as far as the CSA knows... Belize is on their way. I can't see why Belize might now show up because the CSA is paying all of their expenses. The only reason might be because of the internal struggle in Belizean soccer circles right now.

Hopefully Belize will land in Canada soon and the fixtures will go ahead.

I post news when I have it....

Been following these rumours too.

It is funny that Belize apparently has not landed in Canada yet if they have to fly to an airpot at least three hours from Kingston if they have to play on Sunday afternoon.

CSA is the last place we will hear the news from, as anyone aware of that orgasnization know. Even if the Public Affairs Officer KNEW that Belize weren't coming, he would deny any such problem , until the organization would decide how to put the right spin on it.

Anybody, anywhere, know what is happening?

I expect that the Belize team has probably quietly arrived on a filght to Toronto via Miami and Houston, and has quietly blended in with the airport crowds (lots of Carribeans in Toronto), and taken their bus to some motel in the Kingston area.

Any forfiet would be very lamentable for the Canadian team and its supporters. The team needs to get its teeth into the WCQ's before the real tests start in the semis on August 18. The team has not played in Canada
for 4 years, and the fans are antsy. Some supporters I know are flying in from places as far away as BC for the matches, so they would really be screwed.

[beachesl]

According to an article in a Belizean newspaper today the Belize national team was supposed to leave for Canada today.

Do you have a link or a source? I've checked all the online media from Belizem, and there is no word.

[beachesl]

"According to this article...

http://www.guardian.bz/sports.html

Belize were supposed to depart the Philip Goldson International Airport airport today (the article said Thursday June 9th, but they must been June 10th).'

-Canadians Supporter's post on Voyageurs's site.

[Casper]

Any forfiet would be very lamentable for the Canadian team and its supporters. The team needs to get its teeth into the WCQ's before the real tests start in the semis on August 18. The team has not played in Canada
for 4 years, and the fans are antsy. Some supporters I know are flying in from places as far away as BC for the matches, so they would really be screwed.

I'm not sure I follow you. As unlikely as an upset is, I think any team in Concacaf would take the free pass to the Semis round today if it were offered. See New Zealand vs. Vanuatu. That's not much less of an upset than Belize vs. Canada (although I'll admit, 90 minutes instead of 180.)

I would feel badly for fans who are flying in from out of town, though. Maybe we can fly a 'B' team up there to give Canada a decent training match. Pablo Mastroeni is available.

[beachesl]

Hmmm, how can I explain the feeling here.

Not that I speak for other fans here, or for any members on the team, but I think there is a real sense that we need to get tangibly started on the road to the World Cup NOW. This is due to the real sickening disappointment of being eliminated from the last WCQ so early in the semis in 2000 after winning the Gold Cup ealrier the same year. It might be hard for an American to comprehend this now that you are a world "soccer power" and considered certain to qualify, even if this status has recently been won. We in Canada try to remain detached and confident, but there is a real feeling that advancing to the next round or the hex is not good enough, we NEED to qualify for Germany for our sport to gain recognition here. Until we see our team (and you probably are aware of our failure to muster teams in the recent past due to assorted reasons) on the pitch in a WCQ, it is like our hearts are in our mouths. To see other teams playing in CONCACAF in June without us would blunt the fact that we have a bye. I think the feeling is that if we should unexpectedly lose to Belize (and we mean no disrespect to them), then we would rightfully be sunk and wrong to think about Germany, and nothing is lost anyway. I think our players, as confident and as capable as they are, feel the same way. We need to start firing the first shoots....on Sunday.

[sidspaceman]

Did Belize show up?

[beachesl]

No positive news about them arriving, but they have left Belize, so we are assuming they will be in Kingston (Ontario, not Jamaica, guys) for Sunday's match.

A televsion station in Belize interviewed them at June 10/2004 : 14:01:39
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.7newsbelize.com/

See this link for a transcript of last night's evening news broadcast on this Belizean-TV station. Note
Of note in this article - they've watched tapes of some of our matces and think they're going to win! That's the spirit boys!

*****


small excerpt:

Keith Swift,
"Any predictions?"

Edon "Yellowman" Rowley,
"Well we want to come back with probably two wins."

Vallan Symms,
"I say we are going to beat Canada 1-0 in the first game and draw the second one."

Garrincha Adderley, Coach
"At this time I can only predict a win for Belize. It would be unfair to say anything else."

------------------------------------------------------------------------

A small mistake....the website asays it will be shown on Canadian payperview. In fact it is on basic cable in Canada, Roger's Sportsnet, at 1:00 pm EDT, Sunday.

[Canadian_Supporter]

Belize have made it to Canada. They are supposed to practice at Richardson stadium tomorrow. I was hoping to go watch them practice, but I can't make it tomorrow... :(

[sidspaceman]

Great news!

[MiamiCanes69]

http://www.7newsbelize.com/grc/INDIRA9.jpg

Id hit it. :cool: