Bermuda Needs “Good Result” vs Puerto Rico
[Written by Don Burgess]
Bermuda needs a “good result” from Puerto Rico this Friday [June 5] ahead of its World Cup Qualifiers against Guatemala.
This from head coach Andrew Bascome, who knows his young charges can handle the islanders.
“What’s important for us is to get a good result,” he told Bernews. “That’s the most important thing for us right now — that we be psychologically in the right frame of mind to face Guatemala.
“Outside of that, I am looking for a good team performance. In Mexico, we didn’t enjoy much of the ball possession but we were able to stay organized for long periods.”
He said that contrasted with the games against Bahamas.
“In the Bahamas matches we were able to be very offensive-minded. We have to be able to put the two components together.”
Coach Bascome said being able to play a whole game of defense and offense would be the key to getting that good result.
He added Puerto Rico is a good team with well thought out tactics so Bermuda has to “be organized in order to be effective and get that good result.
There was a full squad out for training on Tuesday [June 2] night with the exception of Dante Leverock who is working with his club in Harrisburg. Bascome said the players’ spirits were high.
“This group is a pleasure to work with. I can tell you I have no problems to work with them. There are no discipline issues, especially when we were on tour. It’s important for the general public to know that these guys are guys are giving an honest commitment. They are very focused and for a coach that’s very important and shows that their minds are in the right place.”
He said part of that is due to this being a young squad with an average age of around 22 who just love football.
“This is really a great group,” Bascome said. “I have great respect for the amateur game as this is there heart and their desire.”
Bermuda plays Puerto Rico on Friday, June 5 at 7:30pm at the National Stadium.
We can do it, I have faith in our team, and with great effort and team work we will come out on top.
There is a difference between Faith and Foolishness, I’m behind our guys but realistically like coach Drew said we have amatures playing against World Class Professionals in the World Cup.
I hope they go a bit further but the more of our players that play Top Quality Professional football the better we will be.
The hardest part is we have to pick from a small population and our local football is mediocre compared to countries that have millions of people and have professional leauges.