Hemijah Bean scored an equaliser with just 20 seconds to go against host nation Mexico to give Bermuda men’s hockey team a fantastic start to the Central American and Caribbean Games qualifying competition.

Bean scored from a well-worked short-corner routine to tie the match at 2-2 as Bermuda picked up a point in their opening group match.

Bermuda, who are ranked a massive 60 places lower than Mexico in the world rankings, fell behind seven minutes into the second quarter to a goal from Yael Gonzalez before Jordache Rawson pulled the men in pink level.

The parity did not last long with Mexico going ahead again almost immediately and although Bermuda had to survive periods of going down to ten men after Alexander Godet and Gareth Tavares both received green cards, they stayed in the game despite conceding plenty of penalty corners.

With time running out and the Bermuda pressure building a penalty corner was played to the edge of the circle and after a couple of quick passes, Bean powered the ball into the net to earn a point.

Bermuda’s men are next in action on Sunday against Guatemala, with the match starting at 5pm Bermuda time. The women’s national team also play Guatemala but in their first group match at 11am Bermuda time on Sunday.