Seven goals were witnessed on the first night of the Bermuda Triangle Cup at Flora Duffy Stadium on Monday.

National Academy Under-17 and Future Pro Academy started off with a 2-2 draw. Stephen Astwood struck a brace for the under-17s while Xion Smith and Sakari Famous were on target for Future Pro.

Aaron Denkins, the Bermuda coach, was satisfied in the manner his players fared against older athletes.

“I was pleased with the team’s performance last night against an older and technically good opponent,” Denkins said.

“The make-up of our team is 2010 and 2011 birth-year players and the opponent had 2008 and 2009 players. The team worked hard for large periods of the game out of possession.

“We were particularly happy for young Astwood, who scored important goals for us. He has been committed and always works hard.”

Demir Vavan, the Future Pro founder and managing director, felt that their opening match gave them an idea of what to expect for the rest of the tournament.

“Last night gave a great opportunity for our players from the UK, the Bermudian boys with us and some new players,” Vavan said.

“Playing against the under-17 national team was a very good test. The game was played in the right spirit in terms of the integrity of the competition.

“I think the intensity set the tone for obviously the games ahead with Future Pro looking to play on the front foot, be attacking and creative.

“We hoped we could have been a bit better in our defensive box and more clinical in the opposition box.

“I’m sure as the team gets to gel and get together we will be seeing a lot more success in later rounds of the competition.

“We have a very important game against Somerset Trojans and we know that they’re going to be a very good side.

“We want to make sure that in our preparation we do everything possible to get the three points today and to hopefully progress and see how far we can get once through the group stages.”

In the second match of the night, Tokia Bean scored twice for Dandy Town to overcome Sao Miguel 2-1. Vasco Teles got the consolation for the Azores side.

In matches scheduled for last night, Bermuda Brazilian Football Select faced the National Academy before Somerset Trojans clashed with Future Pro.

Meanwhile, Six Lane Asset Management and its hospitality portfolio company, Horseshoe Bay Live, are sponsoring São Miguel’s Triangle Cup participation.

As part of the sponsorship, Six Lane and HBL covered the team’s airfare, local daily transportation and all their meals.

Tulani Bulford, founder and chief executive of Six Lane, expressed pride in making São Miguel’s trip to Bermuda a reality.

“Bringing a team like São Miguel Under-17 Select all the way from Azores to play alongside Bermuda’s own young footballers is exactly the kind of investment that we want Horseshoe Bay Live to stand for — opening this island to the world and opening the world up to our young athletes,” Bulford said.

“We are proud to make their trip possible and to give our community a front-row seat to international competition right here in Bermuda.

“The sponsorship reflects SLAM and HBL’s broader commitment to youth development and community in Bermuda, extending the same hospitality and Bermudian pride that anchors Horseshoe Bay Live’s day-to-day operations to visiting athletes and their families.

“It builds on HBL’s ongoing mission to enhance the livelihoods of young Bermudian men and women through sport, opportunity and community engagement.”

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