Bonaire 1 Bermuda 7
Bermuda’s young stars continued their scintillating form in the CONCACAF Women’s Under-17 World Cup Qualifiers with a commanding victory over Bonaire at the Flora Duffy South Field Stadium.
Following a dominant seven-goal display against Suriname on the opening night, Bermuda knew the stakes were high after watching Group B rivals Panama dismantle Suriname eight-nil earlier in the day. The hosts responded to that pressure with clinical efficiency, asserting their dominance from the opening whistle to ensure they remain neck-and-neck at the top of the standings.
Bonaire Starting Line-Up: - S. Sint Jago, F. van Der Es, X. Saragoza, S. Mercera, L. Willems (M. Trenidad 77th), S. Janzen (R. Pers 58th), N. Janga, I. Prado, C. van Loo (S. Henriquez 87th), E. Den Boef (I. Boone 77th), G. Piar-Corneilla (G. Alberto 57th) - Substitutes: -, R. Sintjago - Bermuda Starting Line-Up; - Kyra Simmons, Antoinette Barry, Janiya Sealey (Amiya James 71st), Evans Welch, Tayte Glasgow, Daley Outerbridge (Cayli Dowling 71st), Milan Gibbons-Thomas (Nadia Medeiros 93rd), Avery Taylor (Mia Daponte 60th), Riley Khan (Priya Dill 60th), Zalaye Showers, Nila Samuels - Substitutes: - Semaj Baisden-Scott, Khloe Curling, Kiara Deane, Sydney Denkins, R-Zanee Evans-Waldron
The deadlock was broken after just seven minutes when Daley Outerbridge found the back of the net to settle any early nerves for the home crowd. Bermuda’s relentless pressure forced Bonaire into a defensive shell, and it was not long before the lead was doubled. Milan Gibbons-Thomas, who has been in inspired form throughout the tournament, struck in the 18th minute to further deflate the visitors. The one-sided nature of the contest continued as Outerbridge turned provider and finisher once more, claiming her second goal of the evening just before the half-hour mark to make it three-nil.
The floodgates remained firmly open as Nila Samuels added a fourth only two minutes later, showcasing the depth of attacking talent within this Bermudian side. Before the referee could bring an end to a bruising first half for Bonaire, Evans Welch ghosted into the area to fire home a fifth in the 37th minute. The hosts headed into the tunnel with a comprehensive lead, leaving Bonaire manager and players searching for answers against a side playing with immense confidence and tactical discipline.
Bermuda showed no signs of complacency upon the restart and needed less than sixty seconds to extend their advantage. Outerbridge completed a memorable hat-trick in the 46th minute, a performance that will surely catch the eye of scouts watching this qualifying cycle. The scoring continued in the 59th minute when Gibbons-Thomas notched her second of the match and her sixth goal of the tournament overall. That strike moved the scoreline to seven-nil and momentarily placed Bermuda in a position of total control.
Bonaire did manage to find a historic silver lining amidst the difficult result when they were awarded a penalty later in the half. Shaimairs Mercera stepped up to calmly convert from the spot, marking Bonaire’s first goal of the tournament. Bermuda now look ahead to a mouth-watering decisive clash with Panama to determine who will progress from the group.
Panama 8 Suriname 0
Panama continued their scintillating form in Group B of the Women’s Under-17 Qualifiers with a ruthless 8-0 demolition of Suriname at the Bermuda National Sports Center. The offensive onslaught was led by the duo of I. Rendino and G. Rodriguez, both of whom found the back of the net twice.
Y. Magallón and S. Mow both added their names to the scoresheet with well-taken strikes, G. Distancia also capitalized on the tiring Suriname defense to ensure the lead continued to swell. In the closing stages when N. Zafrani emerged from the bench to get in on the act.
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