Jamaica 3 Bermuda 1Bermuda’s Under-20 World Cup hopes went up in smoke in Haiti yesterday as Jamaica handed the Island’s youngsters a 3-1 defeat at the Stade Saint Marc.

Ajani Gibbons fired Bermuda ahead early from the penalty spot, but a physically superior Jamaica scored three goals in the final 25 minutes to run out comfortable winners.

It was, however, a much better performance from the Bermuda team following Tuesday’s humiliating 11-1 drubbing at the hands of the host country.

Bermuda now take on Netherlands Antilles in their final match tomorrow in a contest that will simply decide who picks up the dreaded wooden spoon.

“We lost but we actually played a lot better. The only difference was fitness because we were able to match them (Jamaica) for everything else,” stated Bermuda assistant coach Paul Scope from Haiti last night.

Bermuda made three changes from the team that went down heavily to Haiti, and opted to play with three centre-halves at in an effort to contain the Jamaicans.

Coming into the team yesterday were Trevin Ming, Sean Perinchief and Shayne Hollis. Captain Keishen Bean also played despite harbouring a groin injury.

“Keishen got through the 90 minutes and was probably our best player. But he had to play within himself. He also helped make the goal,” added Scope.

Bermuda went ahead when, during a raid on goal, Bean provided the diminutive Hollis with a defence-splitting pass. Hollis took control and dribbled a few yards but was fouled as he rounded the ‘keeper.

Gibbons, who transferred from Boulevard to Devonshire Cougars during the off season, made no mistake with his spot kick.

Bermuda still led 1-0 at the half. And they protected that slim advantage until Jamaica equalised in the 70th minute from a free kick just outside the 18-yard box.

“We were a bit more tactical and were definitely in it and looking like we could do it,” Scope continued.

The Jamaicans then took the lead for good ten minutes later and added a third right on the final whistle, both goals resulting from breakaways after Bermuda were caught too far forward.

“We were pushing up and they sort of caught us on the break. Once we went 1-1 we had to win the game to keep our qualifying hopes alive,” Scope explained.

“We matched Jamaica for everything but fitness and ran out of steam in hot conditions. We managed to hang on 1-0 at half-time but later in the second half there was just nothing left in the legs.

“But we are now out of the competition and it was always going to be difficult against Jamaica and Haiti. Obviously we are still terribly disappointed over the first game and how we lost because we wanted to qualify. But realistically Jamaica and Haiti are powerhouses.

“The players are obviously disappointed because they knew today they could have actually got something out of the game. And I also think there’s a bit of disappointment left over from letting ourselves down in the first game.”

National coach Kyle Lightbourne attributed his team’s demise to a “lack of preparation”.

“In order for us to compete at a higher level like Haiti and Jamaica at the Under-20 level our preparations will have to be a lot better. That’s what we now have to strive for because these teams have been preparing for the last three months,” he said.

“It all boils down to costs and preparation in the right direction. If we can get these guys training on a regular basis and prepare for tournaments in the right way it would help in a big way.

“We are not a million miles away . . . we are just lacking in certain departments.”