Football: Bermuda U/20 Beat Antigua
Bermuda’s U-20 World cup qualifying team put on an outstanding performance, beating Antigua and Barbuda 2-nil. With this victory, Bermuda will now advance to the next round of the World Cup competition.
Ipswich Town midfielder Reggie Lambe [pictured] scored the first goal in the 68th minute of play. Thirteen minutes later Troy Tucker sealed the deal making it 2-nil for Bermuda.
Gary Darrell, head coach of the Bermuda team was truly pleased with his teams over performance. “Absolutely pleased with the team’s performance. Mentally and physically we played better in the second game. We made adjustments for this game; therefore it helped our team performance against Barbuda. The second-half we picked up the tempo, this allowed us to score the two goals in the match. We had a number of opportunities but in the end we scored two goals.”
Meanwhile, Coach Darrell was not only pleased with his players, but gave credit to his coaching staff as well. “I must give credit to the coaching team as well, without them this would not be possible. Everyone was this trip played a significant part in order for us to have this victory, and for that I am grateful to be a part of this team.”
The team returns home Monday evening from Miami.
Gary Darrell, a great player and an excellent coach….Well done Bermuda and all the coaching staff…We are all really proud in Bermuda^^
Ditto…Darrell and Boyles make a good combination. Just shows what Bermudians can do when given support ….There is real talent in that group of players..
Clearly the vision of the former Executive is bearing fruit..Many of these players have been exposed to a great number of international youth tournaments in Bda ( Clyde Best ) and the very wise decison to link the national program to the Hogges. See what happens when thought and long term planning is the norm and the FA doesn’t get bogged down with quick and unwise fixes…Hopefully the new Exec will stay the course…
Great result, albeit Antigua is not the strongest opposition..I do think that this team has the best talent that we have in numbers in Bermuda and hopefully the FA will continue on the path of using young players ( under 23 ) and maintain a long term approach in the international arena..
Now we need to improve the local product and that can only happen if you improve the coaches.. Time for a proper coaching education program.. We have a few/ growing number of good coaches that need to be thoroughly challenged and exposed to best practise coaching theory and practical.. It hasn’t happened under Broadley and hopefully his replacement will be able to deliver on this required and important goal….
Many of the players are overseas in school which was one of the major initiatives of the former Executive. Good to see that our players are benefitting from that exposure, good to see how the current national program is profitting as a result. Again, good to see how a properly alligned strategy results in positve dividends…