Bermuda started their under-15 Caribbean Championship campaign with a 0-0 draw against Antigua and Barbuda.

Vashun Blanchette’s side were the dominant force in the game, which was played in blustery conditions in Aruba, controlling possession but creating a limited number of chances, with Solomon Salaam going close from a direct free kick 15 minutes into the game.

Bermuda patiently probed for much of the first half with Carter Thomas and Z’Ani Jennings catching the eye in the attacking third and right back Ny’ori Dill relentless in his attempts to get forward as the island’s youngsters attempted to break down a stubborn Antigua defence.

Goalkeeper Xavier Thomas-Bassett, who was chosen ahead of Nuri Latham in a tough battle for the No 1 jersey, had little chance to show why he was given the nod in the first 35 minutes with Antigua rarely venturing anywhere near the Bermuda goal.

Justin Franco had the team’s best chance of the first half in the 33rd minute when Jeon Wolfe found him on the left edge of the box. Franco cut inside his Antiguan marker to open up the target but dragged his shot wide.

Franco was again found in the box just a minute later after good work on the right by Dill but he failed to connect properly with the cross and the half ended with Jennings firing a direct free kick straight at the Antiguan goalkeeper.

Blanchette would have been pleased with his side’s first-half effort with only a lack of cutting edge preventing his side from going in at the interval with the advantage.

But Bermuda were nearly stunned in the first couple of minutes of the second half with Thomas-Bassett forced to rush off his line and bravely spread his body to prevent what looked a likely Antiguan goal for substitute Roshane Samuel.

The rest of the second half was more even than the first but Bermuda had a golden chance with just six minutes left to play when substitute Rylan DeSilva latched on to a long ball over the top. He attempted to lob the goalkeeper but the ball sailed wide of the post.

Jennings then produced a fantastic run from inside his own half to the opposition penalty before being surrounded by Antigua players, with the subsequent corner coming to nothing.

Bermuda are next in action in League B group E against Barbados on Tuesday, with their final game coming against Trinidad & Tobago on Wednesday.

Bermuda Team: X Thomas Bassett, N Dill, K Tucker, S Salaam, D Wade, R Wilkinson, Z Lightbourne-Furbert, C Thomas (sub: A Barritt 56), J Wolfe, Z Jennings, J Franco (sub: R DeSilva 56), Substitutes: N Latham, S Davis, A Dyer, C Edmead, K Albuoy, R DeSilva, A Barritt.