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Bermuda crash to last-gasp loss

Bermuda Under-20s 1Curacao Under-20s 2Bermuda Under-20s fell to a last-gasp defeat in their second Group E qualifying match against Curacao yesterday.But despite the gut-wrenching loss the Under-20s are still very much in the hunt to qualify for the Concacaf Championships in April, and will have their destiny largely in their own hands when they face hosts Suriname tomorrow.Yesterday's defeat means the Gombey Warriors must beat Suriname and pray that Curacao do not record a hefty win over Guyana.Bermuda are three points behind Suriname with the same goal difference, and on level points with Curacao who have an inferior goal difference.Gary Darrell's side, who opened up with a 3-0 win over Guyana on Wednesday, were seconds away from earning a respectable draw before Curacao struck a last minute winner at the Franklin Essed Stadium.Bermuda were awarded a penalty early in the first half when PHC winger Casey Castle was fouled in the box by a Curacao defender. Somerset Eagles' Troy Tucker stepped up to take the spot-kick but saw his effort well saved by the Curacao goalkeeper.Curacao then took the lead in the on the half hour mark when a low shot from the edge of the box beat Bermuda keeper Tahj Bell.Early in the second period Bermuda fought their way on level terms when midfielder Tucker made amends for his earlier miss when he volleyed home from a Quadir Maynard cross from the left. The game appeared to be heading to a draw when Curacao snatched a winner with just seconds of normal time remaining. Cal Blakendal, the team's head of delegation, believed Bermuda deserved a share of the spoils from the game and said the coaches were “proud” of their team's display.“If was a tough way to lose because the players had played very well today against Curacao,” he said.“We had the chance to take the lead but Troy Tucker's penalty was well-saved. The team can be proud of their display and have impressed quite a few people during the qualifiers so far with their style of play. Credit to the academy coaches who have got the team looking very organised.“It would have been a great point but we still can qualify if we beat Suriname and the other result goes our way. We know what we must do and players are still upbeat.”Bermuda goalscorers against Guyana earlier this week were Dante Leverock, who recoverd from a bruised leg to play against Curacao, Dunte Albouy and Troy Tucker.Bermuda starting line-up: T Bell, A Hunter, R Trott, R Lee, J Bather, C Castle, J Swan, T Tucker, R Lambe, Q Maynard D Leverock