STIFLING DEFENCE HAS BELIZE BELIEVING IN NATIONS LEAGUE

0
3215

MIAMI- Belize’s 2019-20 CONCACAF Nations League Qualifying campaign was not for the faint of heart. The Central American nation recorded a 2W-0D-2L record, with three of their four matches decided by a single goal.
When it was all said and done, Belize completed CNLQ in 17th place with six goals and just three conceded.
Needless to say, the defensive performance of the Jaguars was outstanding. Only one other nation with fewer goals conceded finished out of the top 10 in CNLQ — Suriname with two goals in 12th — and it is that solidness in the back that is giving Belize belief as it heads into Nations League play.
In Group A, Belize will find themselves grouped with French Guiana, Saint Kitts and Nevis and Grenada, which should all provide sturdy tests.
While defence is the bedrock of Belize’s success, the scoring threat remains on the trusted boots of FW Deon McCaulay.
The 31-year-old striker is Belize’s all-time leading scorer at the international level and has a whopping 13 career goals in FIFA World Cup Qualifying.
Only the likes of Luis Suarez and Robin van Persie were able to match McCaulay’s jaw-dropping 11 goals scored during 2014 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying for Brazil 2014.
But McCaulay cannot do it alone, so Belize will have to count on MF Krisean Lopez, who scored two goals in CNLQ, to also provide some firepower.
If that dynamic duo can get firing and the top-notch defensive play remains intact, Belize will have reason to believe in League B.
Adapted from www.concacafnationsleague.com/en/article/stifling-defence-has-belize-believing-in-nations-league