Teenager Eve set to make Bermuda debut
Teenage Stoke City goalkeeper Dale Eve is in line for his international debut in Bermuda's World Cup qualifier against Barbados this week.With first choice shot-stopper Freddy Hall unavailable and his understudy Tahj Bell suspended, Bermuda coach Devarr Boyles has turned to Eve to solve his keeper dilemma.Aged just 16, Eve would become one of Bermuda's youngest ever national team players if he starts, as he is expected to, against the Bajan Tridents at the National Sports Centre on Friday.Boyles confirmed yesterday an invitation had been sent to Eve to join up with Bermuda's squad for their home double-header against Barbados.“That's definitely the intention. I'm not sure if Dale is back on the Island but we would like him to play (against Barbados),” he said. “We have a few players missing and it's all about providing opportunities for others.”The 6ft 4ins keeper, who played for Bermuda Under-17s in World Cup qualifiers in Trinidad last summer, signed a two-year development contract with the Potters at the start of the season.He was recruited after impressing Stoke scouts while turning out for a Derby County youth team. It's understood Premier League giants Manchester City were also interested in the Dandy Town product.With Bermuda unable to qualify from Group B of the World Cup qualifiers, Northampton Town manager Gary Johnson wants Hall available for their FA Cup tie away at Luton Town on Saturday. Bell is still serving a two-match suspension after being sent off for relieving himself in far corner of the NSC while warming up as a substitute against Trinidad last month.Boyles has already confirmed that overseas based players Nahki Wells, Quadir Maynard, Taurean Manders and skipper Khano Smith are all available for Bermuda's two games against Barbados.The two teams had been scheduled to play each other home and away before the Barbados Football Association requested to play both games on the road as part of a mutually beneficial cost cutting exercise.Due to the unavailability of Barbados' National Stadium, the only venue the match could have been played was Kensington Oval, which would have cost their cash-strapped Association around $50 000.In an e-mail sent to executive council members late last month, the Barbados Football Association said the change was made through negotiations with the Bermuda Football Association.“This decision is largely due to the unavailability of the National Stadium and the financial constraints of the BFA,” the e-mail said.Barbados are rooted to the bottom of Group B, having lost all four of their qualifiers and are still without a goal to their name.Bermuda, who are third in Group B with four points, are unbeaten at home, having defeated Trinidad and drawn with Guyana last month.The two teams meet on Friday at 3pm, and Monday, November 14 at 8pm.For tickets visit www.bermudafa.com or www.flytix.bm. Prices are as follows: Grandstand $25; general seating $15; children under-12 (general seating) $10, seniors (general seating $10).The team's replica jersey is also now on sale for $65 at the BFA office.
