Youth Football Teams Start Well In Florida Cup
The Bermuda National Academy teams began their participation in the Naples Cup Tournament on Friday evening.
Bermuda NA U12 Select 2 vs 2 Naples Futbol Club
The U12 NA boys select were the first to take to the pitch with their opening match at the North Collier Fields against the Naples FC. Bermuda began brightly with their passing game, moving the ball around the field and creating numerous early chances. Bermuda could not capitalize on the on their dominance with several shots off the post, and the Naples goalkeeper and defense blocking and clearing a barrage of shots that were goal bound.
Naples, despite being restricted to few attacking opportunities, would go ahead midway into the first half when a shot deflective off a defender to beat goal keeper Ayleal Dill. Bermuda would be rewarded for their persistence in attack when Jordan Burgess equalized with seconds remaining in the half to send the teams to the break tied at 1-1.
Bermuda would go ahead in the second half when Cejae Warner finished off a cross from the right with a firm header that gave the Naples goal keep no chance. Naples started to come more into the game and with 7 minutes remaining capitalized on a defense error to equalize. Bermuda would go close to finding a winner but Naples held firm, with their goal keeper playing outstanding.
The next match for the U12 NA Select will be on Saturday against Cape Coral Cyclones at 1:00 PM.
Bermuda NA U13 Select 5 vs 0 Naples Futbol Club
The U13 NA Select opened with a match against The Soccer Pit Immokalee Cobras.
Bermuda would go ahead in the first half with a strike from Kenfari Swan. Bermuda was playing well with good passing movement from side to side to release players behind the defense on the flanks. With no further scores Bermuda held a slim 1-0 lead at the half.
A strong second half performance would see Bermuda take firm control of the game, converting their possession game into goals. Strikes from Jaheim Iris and Jahkai Brown Smith would extend the lead before Kenfari Swan would complete his brace with his second of the match. Jenico Selaey would close out the game with a goal to see Bermuda establish at the top of the group with a 5-0 win.
They will play their second match against Weston FC on Saturday at 1:30 PM.
Bermuda NA U14 Select 6 vs 1 The Soccer Pit Immokalee Cobras
In a similar vein to the U13 NA Select Bermuda established early dominance in the match with good possession and ball movement. Despite their control of the proceeding Bermuda would only able to establish a slim 1-0 lead at half time through a goal by Diarje Hart, with numerous chances being wasted.
Some instructions and adjustments by coach Maceo Dill at half time saw Bermuda reap rewards with goals coming frequently in the second period. Jaquari Paynter would score a brace with Zuhri Burgess, Matteo Dill and Enrique Russell also finding the back of the net.
The U14 NA Select will play their second match on Saturday against Mako Soccer at 11:30 AM.
GO………….. BFA National Academy U12′s U13′s and U14′s job well done. CONGRATS to the whole Team and their supporters who travelled with them.And to the U12′s goalkeeper Ayleal Dill for the two shot outs on the final days play, well done young man keep up the good work, “Work hard,Play hard, hard work pays of”. So proud of all these young players. The best is yet to come.