Bermuda U15 Named Open Cup Co-Champions
The Bermuda under-15 boy’s football team recently travelled to Decatur, Alabama to compete in the Open Cup, and were named the co-champions of the U15 Gold Open Cup age group.
In Bermuda’s first match, versus Darlington Academy, they were stunned by two early goals and were forced to battle from behind. However, It didn’t take Bermuda long to get into the match, as Chermaul Henry opened the scoring after collecting a pass from Andrew McDowall.
Bermuda started the second half better and had Darlington on the defensive for long periods. Henry completed his brace and drew Bermuda level after being sent through by Khiari Sharrieff. Cory Booth capped off a fine overall performance by blasting Bermuda ahead with their third goal. Unfortunately, Bermuda couldn’t hold on for a victory, giving up a goal in the final five minutes. The game ended in a 3-3 draw.
Bermuda’s next match saw them face-off against Gulf Coast United. Bermuda started brightly, opening the scoring in the 7th minute through Chermaul Henry. They scored again in the 22nd and 29th minute through Jahiem Iris and Corey Booth, taking a 3-0 lead into the half.
Within nine minutes of the restart Bermuda added a fourth, thanks to Keishon Bean’s long-range effort. Bermuda was in full control of the match at this stage, soon adding three more goals. Chermaul completed his hat trick in the 60th and 68th minutes, and Corey Booth completed his brace in the 64th minute. The match finished 7-0 for Bermuda
Bermuda advanced to the Open Cup U-15 Gold final with a 2-1 victory over Baton Rouge Soccer Club, in their final group game. Enrique Russell scored the opener in the 3rd minute of play. Bermuda would concede seven minutes later when a long ball over the top of the defense was not cleared.
Russell then put Bermuda in front for good in the 19th minute. Henry was the provider, driving at the defense before squaring back to Russell to score. Bermuda would make the match difficult, missing two penalties and surviving a late surge from Baton Rouge in the second half, but held firm to take their place in the final versus South Carolina United.
In the final, Bermuda went down 1-0 through an own goal. Soon after, the heavens opened up with a torrential downpour and lightning over a 30-minute period, rendering the pitch unplayable. Bermuda was named co-champions of the U15 Gold Open Cup age group after the final match was abandoned in the 19th minute due to inclement weather.
Ray Jones, coach for the u-15 team, commented, “What impressed me the most was that the playing conditions and weather were not the best, but the young boys adapted quite quickly. It showed a lot of character and mental strength.”
“Our hopes moving forward are to equal, if not surpass, what the last team did in the 2013 CONCACAF Championships. They made it to the semi-finals.”
The team returned to Bermuda Monday, April 20th.
