Month: September 2015

Verdes scores first CONCACAF Champions League victory

The “Green Machine”, Verdes FC of San Ignacio Belize, have made a record achievement in the club version of the regional championship, securing their first win and first goals in the Champions League after defeating San Francisco FC of Panama 2-1.

The Green Machine were hammered 8-0 by Queretaro in Mexico last week, but rebounded to defeat Panama’s San Francisco FC at the FFB stadium in Belmopan Tuesday night 2-1.

Daniel Moran gave the visiting San Francisco the early lead in the 12th minute, but Deon McCaulay equalized from ten yards after a cross from the right by Yoras Silva. This was Verdes’ first ever Champions League goal after being shutout in their last four matches, all losses.

Verdes was given a penalty six minutes from the end of the first half after teammate Jesus Patino was taken down in the box but McCaulay missed, hitting the crossbar.

However, he made up for it two minutes from end of normal time by slotting home from four yards on a pass by Silva.

Sitting second behind Queretaro in Group C, Verdes will need 7 goals to overturn their goal differential at San Francisco on October 22.

On behalf of Chabil Mar Management and Staff, we wish the best of luck to Verdes FC in their return match against San Francisco FC in Panama.

End of the World Marathon: A Belize Marathon You Don’t Want to Mis

Whether you come before or after this year’s “End of the World” Marathon in Placencia on December 6, a wonderful time in a Caribbean wonderland of beautiful beaches, mystical Mayan temples, spectacular caves, pristine rainforests, and the second largest barrier reef in the world can be yours.

Reserve your place in the Marathon and your Villa at Chabil Mar Resort – your choice of 5, 6 or 7 nights of luxury villa accommodations!

The Placencia Belize Marathon Vacation package includes:

• Round trip flights between Belize City and Placencia
• Land transfers between Placencia airstrip and Chabil Mar
• 10% discount on villa rates for your entire stay
• 5 nights in a Luxury Villa (6 and 7 night packages are available, including 10% discount on all villa nights for your entire stay, customized for you – Contact Us to Customize)
• Marathon or ½ Marathon participant entry fee (purchased by Chabil Mar on your behalf)
• Chabil Mar T-Shirt and Race Event T-Shirt
• All Breakfasts (5 night package specifics – longer nights stays can include as many breakfasts as desired at an additional fee)
• 4 Lunches at Chabil Mar and 1 After Race Luncheon (5 night package specifics – longer nights stays can include as many lunches as desired at an additional fee)
• Pasta dinner included in the Marathon event package
• 3 Dinners at Chabil Mar (5 night package specifics – longer nights stays can include as many dinners as desired at an additional fee)
• 1 Dinner at Rumfish y Vino Restaurant in Placencia Village
• 1 Race Event Pasta Dinner
• 1 Singles massage
• Complimentary Bicycles and Kayaks
• Three – full days of Golf Cart use
• Your choice of one of the following three tours: Mayan Ruins (Lubaantun or Lim Ni Punit), Monkey River Howler Adventure or Cockscomb Jaguar Nature Preserve
• 1/2 Day of off-shore Island Snorkeling
• All entrants included in special prize donations raffle!

Please contact our Reservations Manager to reserve your Villa at Chabil Mar for this event now. If you decide to make a change to your plans you can do so for up to 60 days in advance, without charge.

The registration fee, a value up to US$100, which is paid by Chabil Mar on your behalf, includes race entry, a race event T shirt, and an excellent chance of winning a special prize donated by a local sponsor.

NOTE: This Belize vacation package does not include international airfare, alcohol, soft drinks or juices.

Knowing the names of the folks preparing palate-pleasing meals is a standard part of the Chabil Mar Villas experience. One Café Mar guest commenting on staff and food wrote: “Yours is not a restaurant in the traditional sense. I felt I was sitting down to dine with Mother Nature while experiencing freedom and beauty all around me.” If you’ve never felt this way about your dining hosts, you’ve been staying at the wrong Belize resort! Your table awaits at Café Mar. When can we expect you?

Start with drinks…
Mixologists Darren and Edwin–plus Beach Captain Sheldon—run the Kaleidoscope Bar & Lounge and Café Mar so deftly, whether you prefer a refreshing local beer or the most exotic Caribbean cocktail that’s ever been garnished with plump fruit, name your favorite and an icy glass will be in your hand fast. Don’t miss happy hour at the Kaleidoscope where you can order a daily special or crowd-pleasing favorites like Chunky Monkey or the Chabil Martini—shaken or stirred.

Feast on the views
Al fresco dining gives new meaning to the word atmosphere at Café Mar. Sea breezes and swaying palm trees set a relaxed tone and since staff awaits any time between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m., dine when you decide, even during off hours. Chefs Amintha and Marsha love surprising guests, thus trying new recipes is as much fun for them as the preparation of ethnic Belize dishes. Who are the logistics managers behind your effortless Café Mar dining experience? Servers Junior and Luis, of course! Obviously, everyone’s doing something right; another delighted diner commented, “”I am giving Chabil Mar a 5-star rating only because 6 is not an option!”

Bountiful breakfasts
Café Mar breakfasts are so hearty and filling, you’ll be well fortified to face the day. Included on the Chabil Mar breakfast menu are familiar dishes and new tastes. Order your favorite style of eggs if that’s your go-to breakfast, try Belize fried fish fillets with refried beans to change up your morning routine or get a true taste of Belize by ordering fry Jacks or Johnny cakes. Just-picked tropical fruits come with all orders and you can’t leave Chabil Mar without eating the house breakfast special at least once: yummy banana pancakes.

Leisurely lunches
If Café Mar staff was forced to choose a lunch menu theme, it would be light and bright because midday meals are brightly colored works of art. Depending upon the time of year, your stuffed avocado may be lavished with shrimp or lobster accompanied by vegetables and laced with savory mustard sauce. Enjoy a traditional club sandwich with a variety of fillings stuffed between freshly-baked bread plus generous portions of French fries and coleslaw. Ask about specials of the day and if the marinated shrimp and conch ceviche is available, you’ve got to eat at least one of these, served with fried corn chips, before you leave Belize.

Delightful dinners
If it’s harvested from the sea, count on Chefs Marsha and Amintha to impress you with their culinary skills. Menu favorites include sautéed-to-perfection shrimp marinated in Caribbean spices and coconut, bone-in, pineapple glazed pork chops, and Snapper Beurre Blanc, the artful marriage of pan-seared snapper atop delicate beurre blanc cream. Tired of chicken? Café Mar’s grilled Orangello chicken breast is guaranteed to please the minute the grilled onion sauce with hints of citrus reach your taste buds. Visiting Chabil Mar during lobster season? Grilled lobster tails in garlic butter are sure to wind up on your plate more than once during your stay.

Dessert? How sweet it is
Food and Beverage Manager Hector is downright obsessive about details, so whether you long for a fabulous dessert or you wish to dine beachside, on your private veranda, have meals brought poolside or you request relaxing service on the pier, just say the word. Prefer to stay sequestered in your Chabil Mar Villa? No problem. Our chefs can arrange a private meal there. Enthused one guest: “We brought our fresh caught fish back to Chabil Mar and chefs turned it into the most divine meal we’ve ever eaten!” Sure, Chabil Mar has plenty of desserts on the menu, but the resort’s award-winning kitchen staff, servers and bartenders are so sweet, you might not need one!

Belize’s defensive display was not enough to keep Canada out of goal three times over in Toronto on Friday.

Canada dominated possession but their three goals came from a cornerkick and two tight angles, with initial attempts kept out by Woodrow West.

West was undisputed MVP of the team, making eight saves to keep the score down.

According to Opta Statistics, Belize completed 64% of passes overall and 43% in the attacking half, managing 31% in the final third. Unfortunately, there were no shots on target and Canada’s goalkeeper had a very easy night with no saves at all to make. Canada was much more efficient and accurate and will feel it stands an excellent chance of eliminating Belize in Belmopan on Tuesday.

However, Belize has already advanced once on aggregate with scores tied, dropping the Cayman Islands 1-1. A 3-0 victory sends the game to extra time, while 4-0 would seal a remarkable turnaround. In any event, Belize must return to the pressing, running, gunning style that saw them past the Dominican Republic, with a 3-0 victory in Belmopan in July.

It’s not over yet! Go Jaguars!

The first leg of Belize’s third round qualifying series will be played September 4 at BMO Field in Toronto with the second leg set for September 8 in Belize.

The disappointment of 2004 is behind us, and Canada is feeling the pressure after defeating No. 174 Dominica 6-0 on aggregate in a home-and-away series. Belize swept past Dominican Republic by a comfortable 5 to 1.

The six winners advance to Round 4, joining the six top-ranked teams: Costa Rica, Mexico, U.S., Honduras, Panama and Trinidad and Tobago. Those 12 teams will be placed in three round-robin groups, playing from November to September 2016. The top two from each pool advance to the next round.

If Belize wins we play Mexico, Honduras and either Curacao or El Salvador. Only the top two advance to the following round.

The final six teams will face off in the CONCACAF hexagonal, to be played from November 2016 to October 2017. The top three in the group will advance directly to the World Cup with the fourth country taking part in an intercontinental playoff spot.

It’s almost time to cheer the Jaguars on as they attempt to make history this week! Go JAGUARS, Go Belize!