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Evans: Clean sheet a confidence boost

Keeping it clean: Jaylon Bather, right, partnered Liam Evans in defence against Guatemala at the National Stadium on Tuesday

Liam Evans says Bermuda’s goalless draw against Guatemala has helped restore confidence as they build towards their Concacaf Nations League finale against Mexico.Evans was handed a rare start at centre half in Bermuda’s friendly on Tuesday night and helped them keep a welcome clean sheet, having leaked nine goals in their previous two home outings.Bermuda face Mexico at altitude in Mexico City next month and may require at least a point to stand any chance of remaining in League A of the competition.After three group B games they are level on points with second-place Panama, whose goal difference stands at minus one, four better than Bermuda’s. The bottom team will be relegated.“The result [against Guatemala] takes us into the Mexico game with a bit of confidence,” said Evans, who partnered Jaylon Bather at the heart of the backline.“The professionals will go back to their clubs whereas the rest of the guys will play locally. “We’ll come together again a few weeks before the Mexico game. It will be at high altitude, which we will not be used to. I don’t know what the coaches are planning for that, but I’m sure they will get us into shape.”The 22-year-old said he still feels more comfortable as a midfielder, where he plays for Premier Division side Robin Hood, but insists he is happy to fulfil any role for his country.“You’re never happy with your performance, but it was a clean sheet and that’s all everyone across the backline can ask for,” he said. “Everyone put in a shift. “We’ve given up some goals in the last few games, so it’s definitely good to keep a clean sheet.“I’m adapting to [playing in defence], although I still consider myself a midfielder. In a team like this, you play wherever you can to get minutes.”Cecoy Robinson, who also started against Guatemala in the absence of attacking outlets Nahki Wells, Reggie Lambe and Zeiko Lewis, said Bermuda are ready to put their “bodies on the line” against Gold Cup champions Mexico, who won 5-1 at the National Stadium last Friday.“I think you will see a different result when we play [Mexico] away,” Robinson said. “I expect you will see a [similar performance] to when we went away to Panama [a 2-0 win last month].”