Bermuda 1 Jamaica 5
Bermuda’s young Female continued their Group A Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Under 17 Championship against Jamaica at Estadio Juan Ramon Loubriel in Puerto Rico.
Bermuda Starting lineup: Micah Pond,Taznae Fubler, Delia Ebbin, Brianna Swainson, Zakiyah Durham, Leilanni Nesbeth, Leah Smith, Nia Christopher, Symira Lowe Darrell Jade Stewart, Jadae Steede Hill
Bermuda suffered another setback with a 5-1 loss to Jamaica. Both teams exchanged chances early on with Symira Lowe Darrell again causing havoc to the opposition with her pace. Jamaica took an early lead through Marley Fray in the sixth minute. This didn't dampen the Bermudian team’s spirit as chances fell to Leilani Nesbeth Lowe Darrell and Nia Christopher.
Just when it seemed Bermuda was gaining the upper hand we were rocked again by Fray in the 15th minute.
This did not deter Bermuda and the players continued to press the Jamaica defense. Bermuda almost pulled one back in the 35th minute when Zakiyah Durham’s long range effort was pushed onto the crossbar by the Jamaica keeper.
Minutes later Nesbeth found herself with only the keeper to beat but sailed her effort over the bar from a tight angle instead of squaring to a teammate.
Once again Bermuda’s pressure was rocked by a Jamaican goal against the run of play on the 44th minute by Tarania Clarke. The energetic Christopher almost pulled one back on the stroke of halftime but watched as her effort from the top of the area clip the bottom of the post.
Bermuda started the second half on the front foot and were finally rewarded for their efforts when Christopher steered a fierce 25 yard long range effort past the keeper.
The fourteen year old has come to her own in this tournament and has starred in both matches. Her goal seemed to lift the team’s spirits and they continued to press the Jamaicans with attack after attack.
Lowe Darrell found herself with back to back golden opportunities to score but was unfortunate to find the back of the net. Jamaica found the back of the net for a fourth time after Micah Pond’s save fell to the feet of Jody Brown who scored. Pond dove to her right a few minutes later to smother a penalty attempt. The tenacious effort and fight from the Bermuda girls soon took its toll and Jamaica slowly controlled the final fifteen minutes of the game and scoring a fifth goal through substitute Rena Gordon.
The coaching staff was proud and happy with the effort put forward by our young girls. The score line truly did not reflect the performance put forward. The difference in this match was the conversion of chances. Bermuda was rather unfortunate in front of the goal. The girls finished the game with their heads held high knowing they can play with any team in our region and look forward to proudly showcase their brand of football on Tuesday against the host nation Puerto Rico.
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