Micah Pond IslandStats.com Bermuda 0 Puerto Rico 2
Bermuda’s young Female continued their Group A Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Under 17 Championship against host Puerto Rico at the Estadio Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium.
Bermuda Starting lineup: Micah Pond, Taznae Fubler, Delia Ebbin, Brianna Swainson, Ember Butterfield Leilanni Nesbeth, Leah Smith, Nia Christopher, Symira Lowe Darrell Jade Stewart, Jadae Steede Hill
Bermuda suffered another setback in their final match of the championship, Bermuda was on the back foot during the opening stages having to deal with the driving rain and a vocal home crowd.
Bermuda’s defense held strong and absorbed the early pressure from Puerto Rico. Bermuda eventually found their rhythm and created chances of their own.
Lowe Darrell found herself behind the Puerto Rico defense in the 12th minute but her cross was desperately cleared by the host defense. The ensuing corner found Nesbeth free in front of goal but her effort was smothered by Maria Guerrero in the opposing goal.
In the 25th minute Nesbeth had a free kick from the edge of the area sail inches over the bar. Puerto Rico sent a long free kick into which Bermuda goalkeeper Pond rose above all others to bravely punch clear, Pond was then quick to react and make a point blank save from the rebound.
Both teams continued to search for the opening goal which came in the 30th minute when Puerto Rico’s main threat Angela Diaz was brought down in the box. Diaz dusted herself off to take the ensuing spot kick which she steered into Ponds bottom right corner.
Bermuda were unfortunate to go down at this point, Steede Hill was inspiring in the midfield with her passing as was captain Smith who spread the ball around the park for Lowe Darrell and Stewart on the wings.
Bermuda came out with a sense of purpose in the second half determined to find an equalizer. Their high pressure and attack left our defense susceptible to the counter attack. Pond was brilliant in the Bermuda goal and thwarted no less than three one on one breakaways.
Young striker Christopher had three opportunities in the space of five minutes to find Bermuda’s equalizer.
In the 54th minute she sent an effort from the top of the area over the bar, three minutes later she forced a block after a good exchange with Smith and then she found herself in front of goal in the 59th minute and her fierce drive was brilliantly saved by Guerrero from point blank range.
Just as Bermuda was establishing their dominance in the second half Diaz beat Pond after finding herself behind the Bermuda defense.
This didn't deter the Bermuda team who continued to press for a goal.
Substitutes Trinae Edwards and Jada Samuels brought a new energy to the game, Lowe Darrell was electric on the left wing and gave the Puerto Rico defense a torrid time.
She forced two excellent saves from Guerrero, in the 90th minute Lowe Darrell collected the ball in her own half and used her pace to beat three defenders down the left side before cutting in and beating another two defenders. She then had to watch as her effort sailed agonizingly close to the far post in what would've easily been the goal of the tournament.
This proved to be the final play of the game as Bermuda went down 2 – 0.
|