Michael Findlay On Tonight’s Football Match
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Michael Findlay, the Bermuda coach, has challenged his players to respond to the disappointment of losing to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines when they face Belize away in the Concacaf Nations League tonight [October 13].
Findlay’s side are looking for their first win in group C of League B after a goalless draw at home to French Guiana and a 4-3 defeat away to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in the previous fixture window last month.
Losing to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines still rankles with Findlay, whose side led through a Jai Bean strike before conceding three goals in seven “chaotic” minutes before half-time.
“To be frank, we were disappointed across the board by the defeat to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines,” Findlay told Bernews.
“We had a chaotic period, costing us a game which I don’t believe we deserved to lose. We dominated possession and had the better opportunities.
“However, we got into a fight [at the end of the second half] and lost. It was a disappointing result for us.
“[Tonight’s game against Belize] will be a great measuring stick to see how the players rebound from adversity and disappointment.”
Findlay, who succeeded Kyle Lightbourne as national team coach in August, has made five changes to his previous squad, with recalls for fit-again Justin Donawa, Djair Parfitt-Williams, Jaylon Bather, J’Nai Butterfield-Steede and a first call-up for Keziah Martin.
“We’ve added some new bodies to this camp, and it’s been nice engaging with them and getting a better idea of their mindset,” said Findlay, a former Grenada national team coach.
“Justin’s in form, Djair has just won the Finnish Cup, scoring in the final, and Keziah gives us another look [in midfield].
“My goal through our recruitment strategy is to try and find as many players as possible eligible to play for Bermuda.
“Ultimately, we need to extend the squad, have a deeper squad, to create internal competition.”
The Canadian said Bermuda’s players have spent the past few days acclimatising to the heat in Belmopan, the capital of Belize, and believes a victory will set them up nicely for the return fixture at the Flora Duffy Stadium next Tuesday.
“We’ve got an opportunity to get maximum points [from the two matches],” Findlay added. “If we do that, even if other results don’t go our way, it keeps us in the picture, provides a step in the process, and builds confidence.
“We’ll start to see if what we’re trying to instil and build is beginning to bear fruit.”
Good for you coach a change was needed Bermudian coaching staff get to caught up in the names of players ie family names and not abilities.
Wish you all the best boys. Do us proud