Two first-half goals earned Nicaragua their revenge over an experimental Bermuda side in this friendly international ? the first of two against the Central American side ? at the Caciques Diriangen Stadium in Diriamba, Nicaragua last night.

Having lost to Bermuda 3-0 and 2-1 at the National Sports Centre a month ago, the home team came out with all guns blazing and, with the wind at their backs, surged into the lead after only three minutes.

And from that moment onwards it was an uphill battle for the visitors as their opponents continued to dictate for almost the entire 90 minutes.

However, Bermuda national coach Kenny Thompson was far from disappointed as he continued to experiment with his starting eleven.

?It?s important in these matches that we get a chance to take a look at all of the players and put together some different combinations,? said Thompson shortly after the final whistle.

?Overall I have to say that, other than a few major mistakes in defence, I?m quite pleased.

?I?m certainly pleased with the response from the team in the second half after we conceded two first-half goals. They played much better although I have to admit we still lacked a little bit of thrust and determination in attack.

?But this was a very worthwhile exercise and, you know, the Nicaraguans are making a big deal out of the fact that some of our most influential players were missing.

?That?s true. Every team has influential players that can make them stronger but we make no excuses, these were the players that were available.

?We have to be satisfied that they?ve put on a fairly decent performance and we?ll get stronger with the more influential players in the team.?

With former pro Kyle Lightbourne starting his first international for more than three years, Bermuda got off to a disastrous start when Rudel Alessandro fired past ?keeper Timmy Figureido in just the third minute.

Emilio Palacios then doubled the home team?s lead in the 29th minute as Nicaragua stretched Bermuda with their slick passing game.

For the most part, Bermuda failed to test the Nicaraguan goalkeeper as they were restricted to shots from outside the area.

The two countries meet again on Sunday at the Independencia Stadium in Esteli (kick-off 6 p.m. Bermuda time) and Thompson expects to again tinker with his starting team.

?I haven?t thought about it too much yet but there certainly will be some changes,? he said. ?The team will maybe a little bit closer to the eleven that finished today?s match.?