Bermuda advance in qualifier
(Bermuda win 2-0 on aggregate) Trinidad here we come! Bermuda advanced to the next round of the Youth World Cup qualifying after eliminating St. Vincent with another win at Somerset last night.
A draw would have been enough for Bermuda but midfielder Earl Furbert eased the anxiety with a goal early in the second half which put paid to any St.
Vincent hopes of a fightback.
The visitors, as expected, came charging out of the blocks as they sought an early goal to erase Bermuda's 1-0 lead from the first leg match on Wednesday night. And had they capitalised on Bermuda's nervous start they could have been 2-0 up in the opening minutes.
Paul Fox in the Bermuda goal was called upon to make a couple of important early saves.
Gradually Bermuda settled their nerves as Nasir Wade twisted and turned before shooting over the bar. Then Jared Peniston blasted over the top after some good approach work down the left.
Jason Hayward in the heart of the Bermuda defence headed just over his own bar after Shandel Samuel's cross from the right looked threatening.
Bermuda were now playing with more confidence and matched with the attacking flair of St. Vincent, the pace was fast and exciting.
The Bermuda goal seven minutes into the second half was well worked and executed as Tariq Jennings provided the cross from the right and Furbert planted his shot inside the near post.
Omar Ray thought he had a second goal for Bermuda four minutes later after following up on a rebound but he was ruled offside on the initial shot. St.
Vincent faded after that second goal and near the end Jennings almost added a second goal when he cut in from the right but lifted his shot over the crossbar.
"Nine months of hard work, these guys thoroughly deserved it,'' said Bermuda's under-17 coach Mark Trott afterwards.
"The first was almost strictly to St. Vincent, they pinned us back and I think part of the problem was we had a hard time adjusting to the wind. To their credit they were aware of that so they kept coming and coming and coming. But to our credit we just sucked up the pressure.'' Bermuda will be involved in a four-team round robin competition in Trinidad in early December with the winners advancing to the Under-17 World cup next year.
Bermuda: Paul Fox; J.Hayward, G.Trott, K.Mundy, Nadir Wade (K.Tucker 88min), J.Peniston, M.Dill, O.Ray, T.Jennings, E.Furbert (M.Crane 71min), Nasir Wade (K.Simmons 57min).
St. Vincent: C.Providence, R.Francois, B.Samuel, J.McInniss, G.Joseph, C.Sutherland (N.Miller 66min), C.Spann (D.Ross 61min), S.Samuel, N.Ollivierre, K.Olivierre, J.George (D.Duncan 67min).
Referee: Arturo Angeles Men of the match: Tariq Jennings (Bermuda); Shandel Samuel (St. Vincent).
