Photos: Bermuda vs Guyana
[Updated] An invigorated Bermuda held table-topping Guyana to a 1-1 draw last night [Oct. 11] in a World Cup CONCACAF Qualifier match played at the National Sports Centre.
The stadium was awash with national pride as the Bermuda squad prepared to take on the Central American Group B leaders. There was no shortage of Bermuda flags on display in stands filled with fans who started arriving at approximately 6.30 p.m. And before the game began, the song “Proud to be Bermudian” was played and the Gombeys and the Bermuda Regiment Band both performed.
Both teams came out on the field just before 7.30pm, and the Bermuda team was met with cheers from the crowd, especially when they stopped and held up a Bermuda flag.
Almost from the kick-off, it was clear Bermuda — coming off a 2-1 victory against Trinidad — hoped to repeat their October 7 feat against Guyana.
In the first few minutes of the game Antwan Russell had a shot go over the bar as Bermuda created the first chance of the match. Guyana won the first corner in the seventh minute. Bermuda won their first corner in the 12 minute later but the cross was cleared by the Guyana defense.
In the 23rd minute Guyana almost went into the lead when former English Premier League defender Leon Cort had a header go just wide from a cross. In the 26th minute Antwan Russell received a yellow card.
Bermuda’s Nahki Wells had a 25-yard shot go high over the crossbar in the 34th minute. In the 44th minute Guyana again came within inches of scoring but striker Vurlon Mills’ header went just wide. The game went into half-time with the score 0 – 0.
The second half began with loud cheers from a crowd intent on encouraging Bermuda’s playetrs. Ten minutes into the second half Nahki Wells had a free kick go high giving Ronson Williams in goal for Guyana no trouble. Bermuda came close to taking the lead in the 56th minute but the shot went just wide.
Bermuda’s Antwan Russell has been substituted for Devaun Degraff in the 57th minute. In the 61st minute Bermuda’s Devrae Tankard was substituted for Quadir Maynard.
In the 59th minute Guyana had a shot go wide of the mark from the boot of Dwain Jacobs. In the 58th minute Guyana made a substitution with Ricky Shakes replacing Mills. In the 64th minute Bermuda’s Gombey Warriors forced the first of three consecutive corners against Guyana’s Golden Jaguars.
In the 71st minute Bermuda scored to go ahead 1 -0, with John Barry Nusum heading the ball into the goal after a corner. Only 10 minutes later Guyana equalised after substitute Ricky Shakes headed the ball past Freddy Hall in goal for Bermuda.
Bermuda’s Reggie Lambe was substituted for Angelo Simmons, and Guyana made a substitute with Anthony Benfield replacing Grant in the 84th minute. In the 87th minute Bermuda had a free kick on the edge of the box that was taken by Nahki Wells that went just wide. In stoppage time Wells again had a shot go inches wide and seconds later Nusum had a shot from ten yards out go straight into the arms of Guyana’s goalkeeper as the referee blew the final whistle.
Bermuda now bows out of the FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifiers. However, the resurgent Gombey Warriors will still take on Barbados next month here in Bermuda
Bermuda Starting Line-Up: Freddie Hall, Tyrell Burgess, Kamen Tucker, John Barry Nusum, Devrae Tankard, Reginald Thompson Lambe, Andre Manders, Kwame Steede, Nahki Wells, Khano Smith, Antwan Russell.
Update: Head Coach Devarr Boyles said, “I felt we were in a strong position to see out the match. Two costly errors in the defense allowed the opponent to profit and score. Credit to us we created chances however came up short in the end.”
“I thought we created a number of chances once Guyana scored. The players continued to press forward as they were hungry for another goal.”
“The goal now is to finish second in the group. We will now give the players a two week break and then resume training. We will continue to look at new players and work with what we currently have. As you know, it’s all about availability for the squad.”
Mr Boyles spoke on the disappointment from the players. “They were very disappointed; they thought they let this one slip away. The balance of play dictated we should have won this game.”
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WELL DONE TO BERMUDA!!….I HAVE JUST ONE REQUEST TO THE BFA…PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT ALLOW OUR NATIONAL PROGRAM TO GO DORMANT AFTER THESE QUALIFYING GAMES ARE OVER AND DONE WITH…BEGGING YOU!!…..THIS IS A STRONG TEAM WE HAVE HERE, GET THEM INVOLVED WITH MORE INTERNATIONAL MATCHES!!!!
THERE ARE OTHER TOURNAMENTS TO PLAY IN….LET’S BUILD A REPUTATION AS A HARD KNOCK TEAM TO BEAT ANYTIME ANYWHERE!!!
JAM BERMUDA!!!!
Ok so we didnt win the game but lets be honest! My boys were great this is the best level of play that I have seen in years. How about their attitudes and conduct on the feild. If you ask me we are winning some of our battle. For a few years there were times when we would see our national team players on the feild behaving very badly . I can confidently say Im very proud of them. Sometimes the leading goal scorer is not the winner when it comes to improving the estem of the players of our country. Ladies and gentlemen please take a min out to congradulate our young man who bravley decided to play the game with dignity and respect! !!! Many of us could learn a lesson from them. To the parents and coaches of the players job well done!!!!!!!!!!!!! Your hard work and encouragement has paid off you have developed fine young men whom I am sure we will not be seein the last of. I will be there at the next game rooting for them ,as all hope is not lost. The game must go on and we must fight like we are on top. Then we will develope the character and the skill enough to take us to the next level! PROUD 2 B BERMUDIAN!!!!!
WELLL DONE BERMUDA …….and a SPECIAL KUDOS TO KWAME STEEDE
We did do well here, but we did not qualify. I am both happy and sad. We did do a great performance, but yet again came up short. A bit frustrating to be honest. I do congradulate those guys for playing their hearts out. Thing is, I am tired of finishing under the bar. We need to finish above the bar for a change. Come on BFA, come on tean, come on spectators and come on Bermuda! We need to do more than what we are doing now. And before anyone tries to shoot my plane down, my comments are meant in no way to take away from our team and countries performance. Great performance guys!!
WELL, DONE BERMUDA.
Our team held its own against nations more than 10+ times our size. Keep up the good work!!! So Proud of You ALL.
I am very proud of the team everyone played well and yes I to hope that we continue to push our national team play. The younger members of th team have more football to play and we should keep a strong national program to allow them to do so.
Did you all notice Sean Crockwell and Craig Cannonier, insisting they sit up front, after arriving late to the game? Shameful display and example shown, we never see them at football game and them they come to profile and demand important seating?
Just a few comments about the match against Guyana and also the match against Trinidad and Tobago. First of all, our Bermuda team gave absolutely their all, 100%, in both matches and can hold their heads high based on these two performances. We simply can’t ask for more. I look forward to their next match against Barbados on 11th November.
Secondly, we hear all sorts of negative comments about badly behaved spectators at football games, but the behaviour of spectators at both these matches has been exemplary. It was a real pleasure to sit in the stands surrounded by families young and old, groups of teenagers, and young kids enthusiastically waving their flags and sounding their horns, with the pulsating beat of the gombeys constantly keeping us in high spirits. For anyone worried about attending football games, please think again because both these matches were not only entertaining and enjoyable, but they gave us all a great night out and a real feeling of national unity,
As an added bonus, we were treated to the Band of the Bermuda Regiment marching onto the field to perform the National Anthem. No mistakes tonight except perhaps for a momentary lapse when Guyana scored the equalizer against the run of play. But even then our boys hammered away and were unlucky not to score a winner before the final whistle.
I would urge anyone and everyone who can ride, drive or walk to the National Stadium to be there on 11th November to support our national team.
We all enjoyed the game but when you have OBA wantabee government mps forcing themselves into prime seats, arriving late and pushing their weight around, is not the kind of attitude I want to see from anyone. There was so much backlash on talk radio, letters to the editor and just people all lashing out at Minister Butterfield. Lets see how this will just be swept under the carpet. typical case of its ok for them but not for us? What? is the OBA now looking for paybacks already and they have not won government?
Nice to see you all out at the game, lets not just come out because an election is in the air. We are regulars and knows who the regulars are. We bought the 3 game ticket special and save $$$$. See you all on November 11 and after the elections too.
@SHAMEFUL, I agree. They way that the whole “VIP” seating was handled was awful. I appreciate our MPs and public servants (for all the work they do), but I think BFA should have had a set number of VIP seats that was reasonably based on the number expected to attend. Instead they decided a whole section was off limits and then after the game started had a whole bunch of prime viewing seats empty.(BTW -I sat in that section without problem on Friday night – where were they then?) I came early, but I’m sure that at some point people arriving after me were allowed to sit there, which is unfair.
BUT ON A HAPPY NOTE WELL DONE BERMUDA NATIONAL SQUAD, I CANT SAY IT ENOUGH !!!!
Well done Bermuda, you made us proud. I enjoyed the game draw and all. Wished for a win but hey, you all played good. Proud to support my Gombey Team.