‘We want to win for Bermuda’
Bermuda will be looking to clear the penultimate hurdle when they lock horns with Anguilla in the semi-final of the Caribbean Football Union Boys Under-14 Challenge Series in Trinidad & Tobago tonight.
The unbeaten Gombey Warriors are the favourites heading into the crucial clash having sailed through the group stage with the overall best record, while Anguilla sneaked through after finishing as the best runners-up among the three groups.
“We are excited and grateful to be moving forward,” captain Z-Ani Jennings told The Royal Gazette. “We want to win for Bermuda.”
It remains to be seen whether Bermuda’s starting 11 will undergo changes from the one that edged St Lucia 1-0 in their final Tier II Group C match on Monday.
Head coach Vashun Blanchette held his cards close to his chest on selection related matters on the eve of the match at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain.
“All players are available for selection,” was all the former Somerset Trojans player was prepared to comment on team selection.
After playing a gruelling four games in as many days in sweltering conditions during the group stage of the competition, Bermuda’s players have had the past three days to recharge and prepare themselves for their next assignment.
“Match preparations have gone well,” Blanchette said.
“We have used the days off to recover physically and gone over some details that we hope will contribute to a positive performance on Friday.”
Jennings added: “The break has given us time to reflect on our past games and work on things.”
Bermuda, who have yet to taste defeat in the tournament, earned the right to face the lowest-ranked team remaining in Tier II because of a superior goal difference to Group A winners Barbados.
The island’s youngsters swept all before them during the group stage, scoring an impressive 20 goals and conceding just one in four games.
Jeon Wolfe, the tournament’s leading scorer with seven goals, and Zydon Lightbourne Furbert (six) have led the charge for Bermuda, both scoring hat-tricks in the 10-1 demolition of Sint Maarten on Sunday.
Captain and playmaker Jennings has also played an integral role in Bermuda’s success to date, scoring twice, including a thumping strike from 25 yards in the win against St Lucia.
The influential midfielder has also provided several assists, including three in Bermuda’s 4-0 win against Grenada in their opener.
The Gombey Warriors also had things all their own way in an equally convincing 5-0 win against Bonaire in their final group game.
Bermuda had warmed up for the tournament competing in the Bermuda Triangle Cup last month.
In the first of the semi-final double-header at 5pm, Group B winners Turks & Caicos Islands face Barbados. Bermuda and Anguilla follow at 7pm.
• You can catch all the action on the CFU YouTube channel
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