Bermuda U/15 Footballers Defeat Bahamas 1-0

Marking their second consecutive victory in the CONCACAF U15 Championships being held in the Cayman Islands, the Bermuda U/15 National Football Team defeated the Bahamas 1-0 last night [Aug 15].

The Bermuda starting line-up included Yanai Smith-Davis, Ahria Simons, Jordan Lambe, Amar Lewis, Oneko Lowe, Jason Symonds, Jai-zel Smith Deshields, Jacob Greene, Justin Bell, Knory Scott, and Osagi Bascome.

According to Mark Wade, the game settled into a familiar pattern with Bermuda dominating possession and Bahamas comfortable with counter attack football. The athleticism and energy of Bahamas unsettled Bermuda and the speed of the their counter attack caused some anxious moments in the Bermuda defensive third.

In the 18th min captain Amar Lewis opened up the Bahamas defense with a diagonal ball to Ahria Simons. Simons first touch was good and he was able to beat the goal keeper with a low shot to the far post that was cleared off the line.

The game came to life in the 26th minute when man of the match Osagi Bascome put Bermuda in front with a neat finish after a good passing combination put Jai-Zel Smith-Deshields behind the defense on the right side. His pinpoint cross allowed Osagi to side foot home with the keeper stranded.

Knory Scott, who was uncharacteristically quiet, tested the Bahamas #1 from long range. The keeper was equal to the task, and comfortably pushed his effort wide for a corner.

The teams went into the halftime break with Bermuda leading Bahamas 1-0.

Coach Bascome made two changes, with Justin Bell and Jacob Greene making way for Quinn Outerbridge and Aaron Burgess. Ahria Simons goes to right back to counteract the speed in Bahamas’ attack with Aaron Burgess moving to right wing.

With play continuing in the same vein as the end of the first half, Coach Bascome made another sub with Judah Chapman coming in for Jai-Zel Smith Deshields.

The substitutions opened the game up as Bahamas started to find more space in the Bermuda half and force the Bahamas keeper to play the sweeper role. Bermuda made their final substitution with Jecoa Thomas coming on for Knory Scott.

Bermuda won the match 1-0, and Osagi Bascome was judged Man of the Match.

So far Bermuda is 2-0 in the CONCACAF U15 Championships, having defeated both the Bahamas and US Virgin Islands. Bermuda’s next match is this evening [Aug 16] against the hosts Cayman Islands.

The tournament involves teams from 23 member associations including Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, the Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Curacao, El Salvador, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, Saint Martin, St. Maarten, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago and the US Virgin Islands.

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