Log In

Reset Password
BERMUDA | RSS PODCAST

Bermuda will go for jugular — Bascome

Photograph: 10thyearseniors.comFollow the leader: Lejuan Simmons takes part in a stretching exercise at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium

Andrew Bascome has promised that Bermuda will go “right at” Bahamas in their 2018 World Cup qualifier in Nassau tonight.

The Bermuda coach is promising a quick, attacking approach from his team, while making it hard for the home side to break them down.

Bascome is likely to employ Jalen Harvey and Tyrell Burgess as wing-backs, with Zeiko Lewis and Reggie Lambe providing support on the left and right-hand side of midfield.

Upfront Nahki Wells is expected to play just behind Jonté Smith, whose ability to play with his back to goal complements Bascome’s ever-evolving system. The approach requires a lot of the central midfield, where Tre Ming should play a holding role just in front of the back four.

“We’ll press high and move the ball quick,” Bascome said. “We’ll keep it compact and make it hard for them to break us down. No disrespect intended, but we’ll go right at them.”

The high-intensity approach was mirrored in Bermuda’s final training session last night when they got their first look at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium.

With no injury worries, the side could resemble the one that played against Grenada in the second warm-up game, with Jaylon Bather and Dante Leverock in the centre of defence, and Drewonde Bascome likely to be used in a creative midfield role.

Dale Eve should get the nod in goal ahead of Freddy Hall.

Bahamas, meanwhile, have had an interesting build-up to tonight’s game, having had to select two national teams this week. Not only do they play Bermuda in the World Cup, but they are also competing in the Concacaf Beach Soccer Championships in El Salvador, which begins on Saturday.

“We’ve never had to make this decision before,” Dion Gobet, the Bahamas head coach, said. “We’ve had to decide, who do we send to beach, and who do we send to grass. We’re a small Island and it’s a challenging decision to make.”

The decision has already seen identical twins Donovan and Devaughn Williamson separated, with Devaughan, a defender, likely to face Bermuda, and Donovan, an attacking midfielder, heading to South America.

Much like Bermuda, the rest of the team is made up of players who are based abroad, with a sprinkling of local talent, some of whom are likely to be playing their final matches for their country.

Nesley Jean, the striker turned coach, has come out of retirement for the games against Bermuda, while the likes of Cameron Hepple and Happy Hall are also nearing the end of their international careers.

“I’m not saying it is the end of them, but it’s reasonable to say that, and they have brought a lot of energy to the table,” Gobet said. “They’ve used that experience to share with the younger players and it’s been encouraging.”

Despite being impressed by the way his side has trained over the past several weeks, and the talent he recognises in the younger players, Gobet is not making any predictions.

“I’m not going to tell you that we’re at that pinnacle where we are ready to go and play Brazil, I’m not even sure we are ready to play Bermuda yet, but if I had this squad for a bit longer, I might be bold enough to say something challenging to the people of Bermuda.”

Hepple is not as backward as his coach when it comes to discussing the games against Bermuda.

The attacking midfielder is not short of experience, having played professionally in the United States, Albania and Spain.

“I feel confident, we’re just going to go out there and play our best. I think this is the best team I have seen us have for the last 15 years or so,” he said.