Lopez, Romero goals earn Dominican Republic win at Belize

BELMOPAN. - The Dominican Republic secured a vital three away points in a 2-0 victory against Belize on Thursday night in both teams’ 2022-23 Concacaf Nations League opener in Group D of League B.

The Dominican Republic was into the lead in the 20th minute, with Jean Carlos Lopez playing a one-two with Fabian Messina and once he got the ball back, he beat Belize GK Charles Tillett to open the scoring.

In the 34th minute, Belize hoped to level the score, with Jovaunn Ramos getting into the box and putting a shot on target, only to see it rejected by Dominican Republic GK Johan Guzman.

Belize’s Krisean Lopez had another point-blank look, getting one-on-one with Guzman, but the Dominican shot-stopper again won the battle as the match went into the halftime break 1-0 in the Caribbean team’s favor.

The fans at the FFB Stadium continued to root Belize on as the home side sought an equalizer. In the 54th minute, they nearly got one, with Ramos heading toward substitute FW Eugene Martinez. Martinez’s effort was just a few inches too high, though, bouncing off the crossbar and staying out.

Instead, it was the visitors scoring in the 67th minute. After a goal kick, the Dominican Republic was able to win the ball, and substitutes Ronaldo Vasquez and Gianluigi Sueva connected. Vasquez ended the move by sending a low cross in the box that FW Dorny Romero finished off to double the lead.

The Dominican Republic now travels home for a date with French Guiana, while Belize makes a short trip to face Central American rival Guatemala.