Bermuda suffered a 2-1 defeat to Cuba in the opening game of their Caribbean Cup first-round qualifiers at the Estadio Pedro Marrero Stadium in Havana yesterday.

The home side scored in the 28th and 77th minutes, with Bermuda substitute Jontè Smith, who plays for English non-League side Lewes, pulling a goal back for coach Andrew Bascome’s side in the first minute of stoppage time.

Cuba held a 1-0 lead at the interval and it remained that way until midway through the second half when they doubled their lead.

Bermuda, making their first appearance in the competition since 2012, were forced to make a substitution and were down to ten men when Cuba capitalised and scored their second.

However, with goal difference possibly determining the two teams to advance from group three, Bermuda will be encouraged by the narrow defeat.

They play French Guiana in their final group match at the National Stadium on Saturday night.

Cuba, who won the tournament in 2012, will play French Guiana in the final group match next Tuesday.

Bermuda arrived in Cuba on Friday without Robin Hood striker Antwan Russell who remained on the island because of a family emergency. Bascome’s side had two training sessions at the Estadio Pedro Marrero Stadium, attempting to acclimatise to the playing conditions and the 80-degree temperatures.

Bermuda had to do without Nahki Wells, the Huddersfield Town striker, who admits that his club career takes priority over international duty after deciding to miss the match.

The Bermuda captain, who is Huddersfield’s top scorer this season with 16 goals, turned down the chance to play in his country’s games against Cuba and French Guiana.

The 25-year-old has been in potent form for Huddersfield since the arrival of David Wagner, the team’s head coach, in November and decided to rest himself during the international break and stay fresh for his side’s remaining seven league matches.

Huddersfield, who beat Leeds United 4-1 at Elland Road last weekend, are sixteenth in the table, eight points above the relegation zone.

“I’m just focused on my club career at the moment,” said Wells, who scored against Leeds as well as missing a penalty.

“My body needs the rest when I have a break, and I thought pulling out of the games was the best thing to do for myself.”

Maurice Lowe, the Bermuda Football Association technical development director, said Wells’s decision would not affect future call-ups. Rai Simons, the Chesterfield striker, also decided to stay with his club in England.

“Nahki and Rai Simons have declined,” Lowe said.

“I guess they are trying not to disrupt their professional careers.

“The door is always open for them.”

The Caribbean Cup, established in 1989, is being contested by 25 teams, with four taking part in next year’s finals.

Jamaica are the holders and have been winners six times in 17 tournaments.

Trinidad and Tobago have won the cup eight times while Martinique, Haiti and Cuba have also been champions.

Bermuda (4-3-3): D Eve — R Lee, K Elkinson, D Leverock, J Bather — D Ming, T Ming, K Bean — L Simmons, R Lambe, Z Lewis. Substitutes: D Bascome, J Raynor, J Donawa, D Bell, J Smith, M Warren, J Minors, N Griffith.