Under 20 National Team fall to Bermuda in CFU World Cup Qualifiers Opener

The Under 20 Boys’ National Football Team fell to Bermuda 3-0 on Wednesday afternoon in the opening Group 3 game of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Under 20 World Cup Qualifiers being played in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

Trailing 1-0 at halftime to a Liam Evans 19th minute strike, the Cayman Islands showed grit and determination as they hit the post twice in quick succession and English-based midfielder Sebastian Martinez had a shot cleared off the line as our boys pushed for the equalizer.

Bermuda’s Jaz Rattery-Smith scored in the 56th minute to make it 2-0 before Liam Evans grabbed his second and his country’s third in the 87th minute, which ultimately sealed the win as the Cayman Islands team pushed forward in search of goals.

In the second game, Haiti defeated Anguilla 8-0 to top the group on goal difference.

The Cayman Islands face Anguilla on Friday, July 1st while Bermuda face hosts Haiti. The final games on Sunday, July 3rd see Anguilla play Bermuda and the Cayman Islands take on Haiti.

Group winners will join Group 1 winners Antigua & Barbuda, Group 2 winners Trinidad & Tobago and Group 4 winners St. Kitts & Nevis along with the three best runners-up in the Final Round of CFU Qualifiers scheduled for October 21 to October 30, 2016 in Curacao.

IMAGE: The Cayman Islands Under 20 team prior to their opening game against Bermuda in the CFU Under 20 World Cup Qualifiers. From left to right, back row: Shakur Welcome, Elijah Seymour, Matthew Guitard, Joshewa Frederick, Ackeem Hyde, Zach Scott. Front row: Michael Martin-Cruz, Stephen Rivers, Leighton Thomas, Kory McLean and Sebastian Martinez.