Two commanding performances set the stage for a thrilling final tomorrow as Everton Under-17 and Bermuda’s Brazilian Football School earned their spots in the Bermuda Triangle Cup championship match.

Everton continued their tournament dominance with another convincing victory, this time over the National Academy Under-17 team. Eight unanswered goals took their tally to 24 over the course of three matches with none conceded, making them the favourites heading into the final. Coach Scott Phelan was pleased with his team’s performance and is looking forward to the challenge that awaits against BBFS.

“We were happy with how the boys performed, considering the situation of the game being a semi-final,” he said.

“Competition football brings a different experience and added pressure, which is something that the boys will have to learn to manage. I think they did that very well today.

“A final is always something exciting for the players to look forward to and their performances thus far have given them that opportunity. Our job now is to plan and prepare for tomorrow’s challenge and see where we land in the final.”

Everton opened the scoring in the first minute when Ray Robert continued his scoring exploits, gaining possession just inside the box and curling his effort into the far corner. He was back at it five minutes later, finishing a cross from Amari Moses to double both his tally and the team’s lead.

Jare Doughty followed with a solo effort, weaving past a couple of defenders and slotting a low shot into the bottom corner. After the water break, Bermuda hesitated during a drop-ball situation, allowing Jonathan Nsangou to pounce and beat the keeper low for the fourth.

Malik Olayiwola was twice denied by the feet of goalkeeper Curtis Jackson Jr after moving from deep midfield into a more advanced role. Eventually, Harlow McEveley rose highest to head home from a corner kick, making it five early in the second half. Jackson once again kept Bermuda in it briefly, pushing Moses’s curling effort around the far post.

The sixth came from Freddie Murdock, who fired from the edge of the box with power and precision. Olayiwola’s persistence paid off, after winning possession on the edge of the box and finishing easily. Aidan Mee rounded off the scoring five minutes from the end, latching on to a right-side cross.

The other semi-final was also one-sided, with BBFS securing a 5–1 win over the National Academy Under-15 team. Coach Torry Davis was pleased with his team's performance, noting their improved intensity and focus.

“Prior to the game my main objective that I wanted the team to focus on was increasing their intensity from the previous matches and I felt like they did that today.” he said. “It’s important that we keep that level going into tomorrow’s game because having watched the level of conditioning and preparation of the Everton team, we have to meet that standard in order to compete.”

The opening goal came in the tenth minute after a mix-up between academy goalkeeper Xavier Thomas and his defender allowed Norico Furbert to capitalise and finish from close range. More sloppy play at the back led to a free kick from the edge of the box, which Kydan Brown struck well past the keeper. Five minutes later, Brown turned provider with a low cross met by Wa’Ari Coddington at the back post.

Furbert scored his second on a counter-attack, finding the bottom corner. Although under pressure for most of the half, the under-15s had their best moments down the left through Deacon Wade’s overlapping runs.

BBFS added one more after the break when a set-piece was only partially cleared, giving Xave Smith a chance to connect with a side volley that deflected on its way in. The under-15s grabbed a late consolation goal when Solomon Salaam calmly converted a penalty to avoid a shutout.