Bermuda’s hopes of qualifying for the ICC Under-19 World Cup suffered a setback during the opening day of Americas Region qualifiers in Toronto today.

Coach Arnold Manders’s side were on the end of a nine-wicket defeat against host nation Canada in a 50-overs match at the Maple Leaf Cricket Club.

Bermuda were dismissed for 61 in 26.4 overs after opting to bat, with Jaiden Manders (13) and Tai Cariah (13) the only batsmen managing double figures.

Canada replied with 63 for one from eight overs, Bermuda’s Isaiah Greaves claiming the only wicket.

“Disappointing day, just never got going against a disciplined attack,” Manders said. “Also made a few basic mistakes in our running between the wickets and shot selection.”

Bermuda’s batsmen struggled to find the gaps from the outset and once Muhammad Kamal snapped a 21-run partnership between top-order pair Manders and Cariah the end would be swift.

The last seven wickets fell for 16 runs, four of them without troubling the scorers.

Manders and Cariah also accounted for the only two boundaries in the Bermuda innings.

Muhammad Kamal, three for nine, led Canada’s bowling attack while Randhir Sandu (26) and Eshan Sensarma (17) produced a 57-run opening partnership, which carried their team to the brink of victory.

Bermuda are back in action tomorrow in King City against the United States, who beat Cayman Islands by ten wickets yesterday.

Cayman were bowled out for 29 in 15.3 overs, the United States replying with 30 without loss from 1.4 overs.

“Definitely need to be a bit more disciplined and focused against USA,” Manders added.

The top team in the group, which also includes Argentina, will advance to Under-19 World Cup in South Africa next January and February.

Bermuda competed at the 2008 Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia.