IDA Bermuda Team Play Warm-Up Match
[Updated with video] The IDA-Bermuda 2010 boys’ select team began its warmup preparations for the start of the Super CupNI with a practice game against the local Coleraine FC U13s at the University of Ulster on Friday July 21.
A spokesperson said, “The IDA-Bermuda team experienced lengthy travel delays that resulted in the group arriving at their tournament base in the early hours of the morning, but despite the effects of jet-lag and fatigue the team took to the field at 7PM for a practice match intended to provide them with an opportunity to acclimate to the playing conditions and level of competition expected from opposition in the tournament. Both teams are playing in the tournament and looked to use the game to ready for the main event which starts on Monday.
“IDA-Bermuda were forced to quickly adjust to the increased speed of play and tempo of the Coleraine team. The pressure from Coleraine was rewarded when they went ahead 1-0 on a score from inside the penalty area early in the match. IDA-Bermuda improved with their own speed of play and alertness to equalise on a break away when Zydon Furbert was put through to goal, and finished calmly passed the goalkeeper. While small in size, the Coleraine FC team combined well to move the ball quickly in their build up play, and would score again to take a 2-1 lead into half time.
“IDA-Bermuda would again show fight and determination to equalise early in the 2nd half and level the score at 2-2. After winning possession inside their defensive half and switching play with a penetrating pass from Ny’Ori Dill in behind the Colerain defensive line, Zydon Furbert would capitalise on his speed to intercept an intended back pass to the goalkeeper and score his 2nd goal of the match.
“The signs of fatigue and tired legs from travel began to show for the IDA-Bermuda team as players began to experience cramp, forcing the coaching staff to rotate personnel. However, IDA-Bermuda would take a lead for the first time in the match when central defender Ny’Ori Dill smartly stepped up to win a tackle and would go on a run through the middle of the Colerain team beating 3 players and finishing past the goal keeper from inside the penalty area to put IDA-Bermuda ahead 3-2. This would be the last kick of the game for Dill as he immediately went down with cramp and was replaced.
“Coleraine FC demonstrated to IDA-Bermuda the relentless effort they can expect from the teams in this tournament when they capitalised on a rebound to level the score again at 3-3. Jamarion Dill in goal for IDA-Bermuda did well to get down in the wet conditions to block a shot from outside the penalty area, but as IDA-Bermuda watched on the Coleraine attacker from the left side instinctively followed the ball and finished past Dill who replaced Xavier Thomas-Bassett in goal at half time. In the closing minutes of the match neither team could find a way past the defences, and the match would finish fittingly in a 3-3 draw.”
“The starting lineup for IDA-Bermuda was: Xavier Thomas-Bassett [GK], Harry Bingham, Ny’Ori Dill, Deacon Wade, Timothy Jackson, Roman Wilkinson, Darien Lambert, Cayden Bartley-Waldron, Kaiyuri Albuoy, Solomon Salaam, Zydon Furbert.
“In a bid to allow the team to recovery for the start of the tournament on Monday, IDA-Bermuda coaching staff have canceled the scheduled practice match on Saturday July 22 against Surf Select from USA. The team will instead be involved in recovery activities and allowed rest time. They are scheduled to visit Northern Ireland’s iconic World Heritage Site the Giant’s Causeway and have some recreation time at the amusement activities in the coastal town of Portrush later in the day.
“The opening ceremony for the Super CupNI will follow on Sunday with teams parading through the town centre and finishing in the Coleraine Showgrounds arena. Thousands of spectators and well wishers are expected to cheer on the teams along the route and in the Showgrounds as they are presented.”
