Defensive mistakes cost Under-17s against Cuba
Cuba Under-17s 3
Bermuda Under-17s 1
Bermuda's hopes of reaching the Concacaf Under-17 Championships suffered a set back yesterday after losing their opening World Cup pre-qualifying group match against Cuba.
An error-laden first-half display saw the Gombey Warriors concede three goals in quick succession leaving them with a proverbial mountain to climb in the second period.
Devarr Boyles said his team improved after the break, though, pulling a goal back through striker Zeiko Lewis but could not reduce the arrears any further despite enjoying plenty of possession and creating changes.
Although Boyles was disappointed with his young team's 'mistake management' he was relieved they kept a clean sheet in the second-half as goal difference could be crucial in determining whether they advance to the next stage.
"We started well and could have finished a few chances before we even conceded," said youth director Boyles. "Once we conceded it became a different game for us and our mistake management was poor. We made a succession of mistakes in a ten minute period which ultimately cost us.
"But after the break we went out there and gave a really good account of ourselves and created a ton of chances. It was important not to concede again and in the end they were hanging on."
Boyles said Cuba slightly edged the game, and were worthy of their win, but did not think their opponents were two goals superior to Bermuda.
"My frank assessment is that there wasn't much of a difference between the two teams but the result suggests otherwise – the result tells its own story.
"The first half cost us and (Cuba) did enough to win the game. Goals conceded and goal scored are important, so I was disappointed we couldn't eek out a 3-2 loss, which I deem as a winning defeat in this kind of tournament."
The Under-17s have been pitted against regional powerhouses Trinidad and Cuba as well as St.Kitts in the quarter-final group stage, held in Trinidad.
The top two finishers along with the best third place team will qualify for next year's 12 nation Championships.
Bermuda face St.Kitts in a crunch game tomorrow which Boyles knows his team cannot afford to lose.
"(St.Kitts) is a big game for us particularly after losing against Cuba," he said, "but we're still in the competition and we will galvanise ourselves between now and Friday and look to move forward."
Bermuda's final group match is against hosts Trinidad on Sunday.
All games are being played at the Marvin Lee Stadium in Macoya, Trinidad, where Bermuda's senior national team famously toppled the Soca Warriors 2-1 in the World Cup qualifiers in 2008.
The Under-17s, who thrashed Bahamas 5-2 on aggregate in the previous round, return to the Island on Monday.
Bermuda Under-17 squad: Dale Eve, Zeon Robinson, Zeiko Lewis, Jonte Smith, Shakeem Albouy, Jair Minors, Tre Ming, Jcquan Smith DeShields, William White, Mauriq Hill, Jevon Swan, Dimitre Frias, Chikosi Basden, Shachkeil Burrows, Quintonio Lema, Kamau Leverock, Ryan Hassall, Shahkai Trott, Mikal Simmons, Juma Mouchette. Head coach: Devarr Boyles. Assistant coach: Maurice Lowe. Team physio: Craig Brown.