ESPN Provides ‘Gold Cup Ultimate Preview’
Leading international sports media ESPN provided a ‘Gold Cup ultimate preview,‘ calling it a “primer on some of the tournament’s biggest challengers and a team-by-team guide to all 16 teams.”
As far as Bermuda, they give us 0.1% chance of winning, and said we “will be playing without pressure given their low expectations” and have cited Nahki Wells as the player to watch, while noting that “midfielder Zeiko Lewis and forward Justin Donawa are also proven goal scorers.”
ESPN’s preview of Bermuda:
Group games: vs. Haiti [6/16, 6 p.m. ET], vs. Costa Rica [6/20, 9:30 p.m. ET], vs. Nicaragua [6/24, 6:30 p.m. ET]
FIFA rank: 175
SPI chances of winning: 0.1 percent
Why they’ll go far: Opponents would be unwise to count on an easy three points against Bermuda. After a poor start to Nations League qualifying, losing 3-1 to Aruba, Bermuda closed the four-match slate in very strong fashion with a 1-0 home win over El Salvador and then a comeback 3-1 win away to the Dominican Republic.
Led by QPR forward Nahki Wells, Bermuda will be playing without pressure given their low expectations. Midfielder Zeiko Lewis and forward Justin Donawa are also proven goal scorers.
Why they won’t: Their defense faces a trial by fire given that it’s mostly comprised of amateur or semi-professional players. They performed admirably against El Salvador but rainy conditions last November in Hamilton helped slow down the Cuscatleco strike force. Whether they can contain the likes of Campbell, Nazon and Barrera will be a big question mark.
Player to watch: Nahki Wells
Best XI [4-5-1]: Dale Eve; Donte Brangman, Dante Leverock, Jaylon Bather, Calon Minors; Roger Lee, Willie Clemons, Reggie Thompson-Lambe, Lejuan Simmons, Zeiko Lewis; Nakhi Wells
Bermuda’s team includes Nahki Wells, Dante Leverock, Jonte Smith, Reggie Lambe, Dale Eve, Oliver Jalen Harvey, Calon Minors, Roger Lee, Kacy Milan Butterfield, Jaylon Bather, Lejaun Simmons, Donte Brangman, Chikosi Basden, Zeiko Lewis, Willie Clemons, Jahquil Hill, Osagi Bascome, Cecoy Robinson, Justin Donawa, Wendell Tre Ming, Liam Evans, Marco Warren, and Quinaceo Hunt.
The Gombey Warriors will take on Haiti on June 16th in Costa Rica, then Costa Rica on June 20th in Dallas, and then match up against Nicaragua on June 24th in New Jersey, and in an effort to provide comprehensive coverage of Bermuda’s debut in this highly prestigious regional competition, Bernews has a dedicated reporter traveling with the team in order to bring all the latest action and insights, with the special coverage thanks to the support of Butterfield & Vallis, One Communications, and Bermuda Security Group.
If you want additional coverage, please feel free to join Bernews new Sports Facebook group, where our traveling reporter is providing daily updates and some ‘behind the scenes’ coverage.
