The Bermuda U/15 National Football Team opened their participation in the inaugural CONCACAF U15 Championships with an 8-0 victory against the US Virgin Islands last night [Aug 13].
The Tournament is taking place in the Cayman Islands, and involves teams from 23 member associations.
The Bermuda starting line-up was Yanai Smith-Davis, Ahria Simons, Jordan Lambe, Amar Lewis, Oneko Lowe, Jason Symonds, Jai-zel Smith Deshields, Llineiko Millet, Justin Bell, Knory Scott, and Osagi Bascome.
According to Mark Wade, “Bermuda started well and settled in to the short passing game as the USVI were comfortable playing counter attack football. Bermuda dominated possession throughout the first few minutes but lacked the decisive touch when it mattered in front of goal.
[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"></v:stroke> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"></v:f> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"></v:f> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"></v:f> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"></v:f> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"></v:f> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"></v:f> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"></v:f> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"></v:f> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"></v:f> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"></v:f> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"></v:f> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></v:f> </v:formulas> <v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"></v:path> <o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"></o:lock> </v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_1" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="photo (1)" href="http://cloudfront.bernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/photo-1.jpg" style='width:600pt;height:337.5pt;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square' o:button="t"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\a409385\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg" o:title="photo (1)"></v:imagedata> </v:shape><![endif][if !vml][endif]
“In the 15th min Knory Scott scrambled the ball over the line but was adjudged to be offside. Two minutes later Scott was involved again. This time taking a long range shot that crashed against the cross bar. Ahria Simons followed up well to score the rebound as the USVI defense failed to recover.
“Another 2 mins later the ball was in the net again. USVI #4 scoring an own goal after Bermuda had produced a neat passing move that had released Ahria behind the defense. USVI defenders did well to force him wide but his hard and low cross was too much for the defender and he could only watch as his attempted clearance nestled in the goal.
“In the 23rd minute Oneko Lowe provided Jai-Zel Smith Deshields with an good cross which the striker flicked beyond the USVI keeper. Bermuda, up 3-0, were brimming with confidence and attacking at will.
“The fourth goal was a beautiful team goal finished off by the lively Ahria Simons who was causing plenty of problems with his pace down the right side.
“Bermuda’s fifth and last goal for the half came out of nothing. Oneko lowe who was starting to attack more from the left back position tried his luck from long range. The slippery surface caused the USVI goal keeper some problems and he allowed the wet ball to slip underneath him and between his legs.
The two teams went into the half with Bermuda leading USVI 5-0.
Mr Wade said, “Coach Bascome made two changes at the half with Aaron Burgess and Jacob Greene coming on for Jai-Zel Smith Deshields and Llineko Millet respectively. In the 50th minute Travis Boyles came on for Justin Bell. Ahria Simons moved to left back which allowed Travis to join the attack.
“Bermuda add to the goal tally through Knory Scott. Aaron Burgess provided the through ball that put him behind the defense. Knory showed his experience and chipped the ball over the advancing goal keeper.
“USVI were reduced to 10 men when their #9 was shown a straight red for dangerous play on Osagi Bascome, who was causing problems with his ball handling skills. Bermuda are in full flow at 6-0.
“In the 55th minute the goal of the match was scored by Bermuda’s diminutive left back, Oneko Lowe, who smashed a volley into the top near post corner after the USVi defense only half cleared a Bermuda raid.
“Bermuda’s final goal was another piece of team play which ended with Aaron Burgess playing a delightful ball behind the USVI defense for Osagi bascome to beat the keeper with a firm low shot in the bottom corner.
“A good display by Bermuda who recorded the biggest score for the day. Bermuda 8 — USVI 0″