Bermuda Football Teams Advance To Semi-Finals
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Bermuda’s two football teams remain on course for medals at the NatWest International Island Games in Guernsey, the Channel Islands.
The men’s under-23 and women’s teams finished their group phases with nine points from three games, coming top of their pools and advancing to the semi-finals on Thursday.
The under-23 side defeated Greenland 3-2 at Corbet Field today, with substitute Blaiz Hall netting an 81st-minute winner for Bermuda.
Coach John Barry Nusum’s team led at half-time through goals from striker Jai Bean early on, doubling their advantge in the 62nd minute when Enrique Russell converted a penalty after being upended in the box.
Greenland, however, clawed their way back into the game with two goals in five minutes from livewire striker Nemo Thomsen, who recently signed his first professional contract with Danish second-tier side Kolding IF.
Bermuda had the final say when winger Hall ran free of the Greenland defence and finished well into the bottom corner.
Sergio Goater, the under-23 assistant coach, said the team understandably showed signs of fatigue, having played three matches in as many days, but praised the players’ fighting spirit.
“We weren’t at our usual levels, but we were gritty and came away with the three points,” he told Bernews.
The women’s team also rested several of their starters for their final group game, but still had far too much quality for Aland, winning 2-0 thanks to goals from Trinae Edwards and substitite Ashley Tutas at College Field today.
Coach Naquita Robinson shuffled her selection pack, with one eye already on the semis, resting captain Eva Frazzoni, who picked up a knock against Hitra yesterday and star striker LeiLanni Nesbeth.
They took the lead midway through the first half when Edwards bustled into the box, hitting a left-footed shot that took a deflection before nestling into the bottom corner.
It took until the 75th minute for Bermuda to add a second when Tutas powered her way into the area and struck a left-footed effort that bobbled underneath Aland goalkeeper Ellen Ahlstrom.
Robinson’s side face the Isle of Man in the semis at Northfield on Thursday.
“It’s a great feeling as a coach to be able to make seven changes, two positional changes, and the team still delivers,” Robinson said. “I couldn’t be prouder of this team at the moment.”
