Bermuda 0 Puerto Rico 1

For the second time in 48 hours Puerto Rico proved the theory correct that Fifa rankings can be grossly misleading at times.

Noah Delgado's 13th minute strike proved to be the difference before a small crowd at the National Sports Centre (NSC) last night as the visitors completed a clean sweep over a Bermuda side that was limited to only two clear shots on goal.

"We went head-to-head and competed with them, but we have to learn how to put the ball into the net," Bermuda coach Keith Tucker stressed after watching his team go down. "We have to put more passes together in the top third in order to create goals rather than just hope the ball is going to go in the net."

To their credit Bermuda showed plenty of heart after falling behind to Delgado's early strike. But as coach Tucker pointed out: "Heart keeps you in the game, but doesn't get the ball in the back of the net.

"We showed that we have heart but we still need to keep the ball on the ground and move it around. I think we still have to get more organised in attack and defence as well.

"But overall I think the guys put their all into it, and that's all we can ask of them."

Nearby, Puerto Rico Football Association president Joe Serralta was all smiles after watching his team complete their first visit to Bermuda's shores undefeated.

"We knew Bermuda were going to be very aggressive tonight and press us, and so the only way we were going to win was to counter attack," he said. "As you saw we didn't touch the ball too much; today we played on the counter attack.

"But I thought the boys played well while the coach (Colin Clarke) really did his job well. It's been a very successful tour for us."

Bermuda were forced to make changes to their line up as winger Lashun Dill was forced out at the last minute while the experience of striker Aljame Zuill made way for the youthfulness of Cecoy Robinson.

The home side started off slowly and quickly found themselves trailing when Jason Williams was beaten for the second time in as many outings from distance. Attacking down Bermuda's left side Eloy Matos, despite being swamped by several defenders around him, slipped a short pass to the onrushing Delgado who buried his shot from 20 yards to Williams' right.

The goal seemed to jolt a lethargic Bermuda into action and as the half progressed so to did the home team's confidence.

However, Bermuda were dealt a severe blow just before the half when striker Steven Astwood pulled up and had to be replaced by Zuill at the break.

But despite the setback the home team should've opened their account when pacy forward Damon Ming had a free look at goal. A long punt forward bounced over the Puerto Rican defense, leaving Ming with what should've been a straight forward task of nodding over the advancing goalie.

But instead of bringing the crowd scrambling to their feet in jubiliation a hesitant Ming inexplicably headed well wide of the target to afford the visitors a reprieve for some loose defending.

At the other end Bermuda were also let off the hook when Delgado steered a shot wide of the uprights after getting behind the defence while Matos also went close as the visitors stepped on the gas.

Ming nearly redeemed himself in the 70th minute when his vicious, swerving left footed shot forced Puerto Rico 'keeper Joshua Saunders to go full length to thwart the danger.

However, a sudden rush of blood to the head resulted in Ming heading for an early shower as the Bermuda Hogges franchise player received a second yellow card for a senseless tackle and shove from behind on an oppossing player, giving the Puerto Ricans a numerical advantage in the dying stages before ref Lyndon Raynor blew the final whistle.

Bermuda: J.Williams, D.Cox, O.Shakir, K.Richards, S.Darrell (M.Waldron, 55 mins), J.Ball, T.Manders (C.Furbert, 55 mins), D.Ming, K.Bean, S.Astwood (A.Zuill, 45 mins), C.Robinson.

Puerto Rico: J.Saunders, J.Arrayo (A.Cabrera, 62 mins), N.Delgado (C.Garcia, 82 mins), G.Figueroa, C.Gores, T.Graham, K.Law, R.Martinez, E.Matos (K.Muller, 76 mins), M.Velez, P.Villegas.

Yellow cards: S.Darrell, D.Ming, K.Bean, S.Astwood, A.Zuill (Bermuda); N.Delgado (Puerto Rico)

Sent off: D.Ming (Bermuda)

Men of the match: K.Richards (Bermuda); N.Delgaod (Puerto Rico).

Referee: Lyndon Raynor

Fourth official: Anthony Francis

Match commissioner: Lee Holder.