Skipper Jennings devastated by red card
Bermuda skipper Kentoine Jennings said last night he had to take full responsibility for his 43rd minute sending off for handling a goal-bound header off the line.
During a quick first-half raid by the Salvadorean attack Jennings? right arm proved to be the last line of defence as the ball raced towards goal.
The Bermuda captain?s night then came to a premature end when the referee reached into his pocket and presented the dreaded red card.
Jennings described the incident as ?unintentional? and apologised to his team-mates, the Bermuda coaching staff and the thousands of supporters in the stands.
?I was trying to head the ball and I missed it and it hit my arm. I put myself into the position where the ball hit my arm and the referee made a decision,? he explained.
?Right now I am feeling it and I am very upset about it because I think with eleven men on the field we probably would?ve got the result we wanted.
?I apologise to the team and especially the fans . . . they were just beautiful. They definitely helped us along and I would like to thank them for their overwhelming support.?
He added: It?s very hard to forget about it . . . I feel so bad. It was something I didn?t have any control over.
?It?s hit me very hard and I feel bad about the whole thing.
?One of their players went down the line and cut back beating a couple of players. It all happened so fast . . . when he crossed the ball another player headed it and I tried to dive to it with my head and missed it.
?When I missed it the ball struck me on the arm and there was nothing I could do. There was nothing else I could do.?
After receiving his marching orders, Jennings was left stunned.
?I couldn?t believe this was happening. We had a great opportunity, I was feeling great and wasn?t even tired. I said to myself ?this can?t be happening to me?. Getting sent off trying to save a ball from crossing the line. I just had so many emotions going through my head but I couldn?t do anything about it.?
Though dejected, Jennings took consolation in watching his team-mates battle on bravely to a 2-2 draw.
?The performance was first class. Those guys performed brilliantly. A lot our players were inexperienced but they held it together and did what they had to do,? he said.
?But with eleven players I think it would have made the difference. They showed so much heart and also showed the country this is something we can build on.?