Haiti 2 Bermuda 0
Haiti ended their Concacaf Women’s U-17 qualifying campaign on a high note with a 2-0 victory over Bermuda at the Costa Rica Federation Field in Alajuela.
Haiti Starting Line-Up: - A. Favilus, D. Louis (K. Mallebranche 46th) N. Jean-Baptiste, J. Rousseau, S. Ductan, K. Gue (R. St Louis 46th) M. Larco, K. Châtelain (L. Jacques, 46th) K. Lormil (L. Decombe 65th), A. Manasse, A. Kamanzi-Mondestin (S. Maurrasse 64th) - Substitute: - Bermuda Starting Line-Up: - Kyra Simmons, Riley Khan, Janiya Sealey, Antoinette Barry, Cayli Dowling (Avery Taylor 41st), Daley Outerbridge, Nila Samuels (Nadia Medeiro 46th), Evans Welch (Tayte Glasgow 71st), Zelaye Showers, Priya Dill - Substitute: - Kiara Deane, Sydney Denkins, Daisy Langley, Nalini Minors, Marli Robinson, Indygo Smith,
Despite both nations entering the final matchday in Group B without a mathematical chance of reaching the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, there was plenty of pride on the line in Costa Rica. Haiti wasted no time asserting their authority as Adjani Kamanzi-Mondestin found the back of the net in just the second minute to give her side a dream start.
The early goal set the tone for a match defined by Haitian pressure and a resilient Bermudian defence. Referee Crystal Sobers, a familiar face to those following the game in Bermuda, oversaw a contest where Haiti controlled nearly 59% of the possession and peppered the goal with 23 shots.
Bermuda remained competitive for much of the afternoon largely thanks to the heroics of goalkeeper Kyra Simmons. The young shot-stopper was in inspired form, producing a string of vital saves to keep the deficit at a single goal as Haiti racked up ten shots on target and ten corners.
The pressure finally told in the closing stages when Nya Jean-Baptiste turned the ball home from close range in the 86th minute to double the advantage. While Bermuda managed eleven shots of their own, they struggled to test the Haitian goal frequently enough to mount a comeback.
Haiti will take confidence from a dominant statistical performance to close out their tournament, while Bermuda can take heart from a spirited defensive display led by the outstanding Simmons.
|
