Football: Bermuda Defeated 5-3 By Honduras
The Bermuda national football team battled to a 5-3 defeat against Honduras in the Gold Cup preliminary round first-leg match at the Flora Duffy Stadium tonight [March 21].
Honduras were much-fancied before the game, having defeated Bermuda 6-1 in their previous meeting at the same venue in the second round of a Concacaf World Cup qualifier last summer.
However, Bermuda made a superb start, with forward Kane Crichlow heading home in the first minute after excellent work from winger Djair Parfitt-Williams down the left flank.
Parfitt-Williams was causing Honduras many problems, delivering another dangerous cross from the left that drifted just beyond his onrushing team-mates.
Dale Eve, the Bermuda goalkeeper, was then called into action. He made a smart save, diving to his right to push the ball out for a corner kick.
Honduras were enjoying the superior swathes of possession; however, Bermuda were defending resolutely and looking to hit their opponents on the counterattack whenever possible.
On the stroke of half-time, Bermuda doubled their advantage when a free kick from Reggie Lambe somehow found its way into the path of the unmarked Parfitt-Williams, who calmly slotted home from close range.
In the 60th minute, Honduras reduced the deficit through striker Romell Quioto, who leapt highest at the back post and headed the ball into the ground and beyond Eve’s outstretched hand.
Four minutes later, Honduras were on level terms after a slide-rule pass found Luis Palma who gently tapped the ball beyond the outrushing Eve.
Honduras scored their third in the 66th minute through a Quioto diving header from an inviting cross from the right.
In the final minute, Honduras scored a fourth through José Martinez who slammed the ball home after a header from a corner had struck the crossbar.
Bermuda fought back though when the referee awarded a penalty after Kieron Richardson was adjudged to have been pulled down in the box.
Zeiko Lewis stepped up to convert from the spot in the 93rd minute.
A minute later, Honduras completed the scoring when substitute José Pinto crashed the ball home from the edge of the area.
Eve, the Bermuda captain said: “We were a bit naïve at times. When you come up against opposition like this, [ranked] seventh in Concacaf, all you can do is give your all.
“Scoring three goals was a positive, although they scored five.”
Bermuda face Honduras in the away second leg next Tuesday [March 25].
