Bermuda’s U17 World Cup Youth football team went down to Cuba Wednesday night (2-1) in the quater finals of the World Cup qualifier played in Trinidad & Tobago. The local boys started well and settled into a center attack posture. The Gombey Warriors survived a few anxious moments when Cuba looked set to score. Cuba finally found a way through in the 20th minute when the Cuban striker got on to a hopeful cross from the right, which managed to go in off an attempted header that actually deflected off his shoulder. Bermuda refused to quit continuing to press forward and trying to catch Cuba on the counter attack with pace down the flank. The Gombey Warriors suffered a set back in the 42nd minute, when goal keeper Corey Richardson went down in the box. As Richardson is not one to go down easily every ones faces showed concern and reserve keeper Shunte Evans was required to warm up immediately. A nervous Evans entered the match as Corey could not continue and was taken to hospital for examination. The teams go in at halftime with Cuba 1-nil up. The defensive effort was excellent with everyone focused on their respective roles.
During the half time break the players were reminded of their ability to play 1-nil down and the weaknesses of the Cuban defense, as spotted by Assistant Coach Ray Jones, who radioed down from his customary observatory perch high in the stands. The coaches also urged the players to get the attack plan going. The players reiterated the problems with the match balls which were heavy, compounded by the field conditions.
As we have done countless times before we come out in the second half a team possessed; knowing we would have to win ugly today. With commitment in tackles and determination to executing the game plan, Bermuda slowly took control. Dante Leverock entered the fray in the (55min). The formation was changed to 4-4-2 in an effort to capitalize on the problems Kashi Davis was already causing to Cuba. Shunte Evans, in goal grew in confidence with each through ball cleared or collected. Evans began to inject this confidence into the team with every strong and commanding communication to the back four and his clean handling. However, in the 81st minute Cuba capitalized on a poor clearance with a good shot from 20 yards out, which left Evans no chance. In the 84th minute Leverock received a pass by Aaron Nelson from the right and true to his role throughout the tournament, putting us back in the match. The pre-written script was playing out again!!! Could it be possible we would do it again, as was done in 120 minutes the night before. The last six minutes the team played as if it could not be possible they would lose. Zeiko Lewis, who came on in the 70th minute for a tiring Tariq Sabir, was finding space on the left. The Gombey Warriors sent wave after wave attacks as Cuba hung on. The referees whistle signals the end of the Red Army’s World Cup campaign, with most of the players unable to contain their emotions.
Both Coach Wade and Jones stated your sons have done well in extremely tiring circumstances and shown maturity beyond their years!!!They have been a joy to coach.
So let’s all rally together to make sure they come home to a large, loud Hero’s’ reception!!!!
