📸 Jaylen Lennan scored a brace to qualify Verdes to another PLB Finals. Photo credit: Verdes FC / Wilton Ixtecoc
By Rubén Morales Iglesias: Verdes FC (#1) booked their place in the Premier League of Belize 2025–2026 Opening Championship Final after defeating Belmopan FC (#4) 2–1 in the second leg at the Edmund Marshalleck Stadium in Benque Viejo del Carmen on Saturday night.
Verdes took control early through Jaylen Lennan (#17), who struck twice in the first half — in the 25th and 34th minutes — to give the defending champions a commanding lead. Belmopan pulled one back late when veteran defender Ian Gaynair (#20) scored in the 85th minute, but it wasn’t enough to overturn the aggregate deficit.
📸 Verdes’ Nahjib Guerra was a constant headache for Belmopan FC. Photo credit: Verdes FC / Wilton Ixtecoc
With the victory, Verdes win the series 3–1 on aggregate after their 1–0 triumph in Belmopan last weekend. The champions now advance to the PLB Final, continuing their quest for another title.
Meanwhile, the other semifinal second leg between Port Layola FC and Progresso FC — originally scheduled for Sunday, November 30 at the Marion Jones Sports Complex in Belize City — has been postponed due to waterlogged pitch conditions and poor drainage. The PLB is considering relocating the match to Belmopan midweek, either at the FFB Stadium or the Isidoro Beaton Stadium.
📸 Verdes Starting XI — Photo credit: Verdes FC / Wilton Ixtecoc
📊 Semifinal Results
– Verdes FC vs Belmopan FC
– First Leg: Verdes 1–0 Belmopan – Isidoro Beaton Stadium, Belmopan
– Second Leg: Verdes 2–1 Belmopan – Edmund Marshalleck Stadium, Benque Viejo del Carmen
– Aggregate: Verdes win 3–1
– Progresso FC vs Port Layola FC
– First Leg: Progresso 2–1 Port Layola – People’s Stadium, Orange Walk
– Second Leg: Postponed – Marion Jones Sports Complex, Belize City (new venue/date to be announced)
