The Bermuda under-20 national academy team were crowned Bermuda Triangle Cup champions for the second straight year at Flora Duffy Stadium on Sunday.

Cecoy Robinson’s side came from behind to beat the under-17 national academy team 4-1, with the final pitting two local teams against each other.

Chance Eve led the way for the under-20s with two goals, while fellow forwards Xahvi DeRoza and Gianni Burgess also found the back of the net. The under-17s took the lead through captain Logan Jimenez’s first half-penalty.

“For me it wasn’t too much about trying to win it. For me it was development and exposure as far as tournament play for the boys,” Robinson told The Royal Gazette.

“I think that is only going to help them grow for international purposes as they get older based on the requirements and demands of what’s being asked in group play, semi-finals and finals.

Triangle Cup photo gallery

“That’s what we have to start thinking about and looking at because when we get to these international tournaments we need to get through phases of the tournament and the things that we are going through here are only going to help us.”

The under-17s were awarded a penalty when midfielder Kalen Brunson was brought down in the area and Jimenez converted from 12-yards to put his team in front.

The under-20s regrouped and were back on even terms quickly when DeRoza equalised to leave the teams deadlocked a 1-1 at the half.

Robinson’s team were better organised in the second half with additional goals from DeRoza, Eve and Burgess putting the game beyond their opponent’s reach.

“They have been pretty much playing every day since Tuesday, so legs were a little tight for everybody and not just us,” Robinson said.

“But we still played some decent enough football, especially in the second half.”

Under-17 coach Aaron Lugo conceded his team committed too many mistakes against their older compatriots.

“We made mistakes and they made mistakes, but we made more so congratulations to the under-20s,” Lugo said.

The under-20s beat Charlotte FC 3-1 in the semi-finals, while the under-17s prevailed 4-2 on penalties over West Ham Academy in the other semi-final on Saturday. West Ham edged Charlotte 2-1 in extra time in the third-place match at Flora Duffy Stadium on Sunday.

“Thank you to the Bermuda Triangle Cup organisers for putting it on,” Lugo said.

“It gave our boys the opportunity to see football at another level with West Ham and Charlotte. It was a good experience for the Bermuda teams and thank you for all who came out to help support it.”

DeRoza’s four goals in the tournament earned him the Golden Boot award while Riley Robinson walked away with the Most Valuable Player award.

Dennis Brown, president of tournament host Bermuda Sports International, has hailed the event as a huge success.

“The tournament was a resounding success with some quality football throughout the week from all of the teams that participated,” he said.

Brown also thanked sponsors Bermuda Football Association, the Ministry of Youth and Sport, Ord Road Laundry, Dr Ewart Brown and Barry Decouto and the Bermuda Referees Association for providing match officials.

“We had some major sponsors who contributed to make the event a success and I thought the officials acquitted themselves very well in the tournament,” he added.

Brown is now looking forward to next year’s tournament which has already attracted interest from overseas teams.

“This year we had eight teams and next year we’re looking to increase it,” he said.

“We have already had interest in a couple of teams from overseas to participate in the tournament next year.

“We have also had interest from Charlotte, West Ham and Seedorf Select wishing to come back to the tournament next year so it can only get bigger and better.”