Bermuda’s youth football contingent continued to make waves at the prestigious Easter International Cup in Florida, with the Warwick Football Academy U12s securing a place in the Bronze final following a day of high-stakes knockout action.
The focus at the Omni Resort and Austin Tindall Soccer Complex shifted to the semi-final brackets, where the Warwick U12 side faced a daunting rematch against Orlando City Soccer Club South Pre-MLS. After their previous encounter was halted by a tropical downpour, the Bermudians left nothing to chance in the replay. Warwick produced a clinical and composed performance to claim a comfortable 3-1 victory, a result that books their place in the Bronze final against Coerfontaine FC Premier.
However, it was a contrasting story for the Warwick U15 squad in their Silver semi-final. Having been the tournament’s great entertainers in the group stages, the side found their explosive offense silenced for the first time. Hampered by injuries to key goal-scoring threats, they struggled to replicate the fire-power of their previous eight-goal thriller against GGS Soccer Academy. GGS took full advantage of the depleted ranks, cruising to a 4-0 win to end Warwick’s run. Despite the exit, the U15s depart the tournament with their heads held high, having earned a reputation as one of the most resilient and dangerous attacking units in the division.
On the girls' side of the draw, the group stages reached a tense conclusion on day three. The Warwick U13 girls endured a frustrating afternoon, suffering two narrow defeats. They were first edged out 1-0 by High Soccer Prospects 2013 before falling 2-0 to FC America 2014 Purple. These results mean the academy will now compete in the Silver final on Saturday, where they face a familiar foe in GGS Soccer Academy in what is fast becoming a recurring rivalry at this year's event.
Individual Bermudian prospects also enjoyed success while representing North American academies. In the Male Under 9 White Division, Marcelo Robinson was instrumental for the New England Surf IDA Select NorthEast, helping them to a 2-1 win over Elite Soccer Academy before they narrowly succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against Weston FC. Meanwhile, in the Female Under 16/17 Blue Division, Riley Khan helped her Benfica Residential Academy teammates to a gritty 2-1 victory over New England Surf G2009 State Sky.
The successful run for Benfica’s Bermudian contingent continued in the Male Under 16 Blue Silver semi-final. Isaac Todd and his Benfica RA U16 Boys Red side demonstrated superior tactical discipline to dismantle Schulz Academy 3-1. The victory ensures Todd remains in the hunt for silverware as the tournament enters its final, decisive weekend.
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