National coach Michael Findlay was full of praise for the Bermuda League Select XI after they put up a courageous dispaly in their second friendly against Rhode Island on Tuesday night.

While they were completely dominated by the USL Championship side during an 8-0 defeat on Sunday, the Bermudian team looked far more composed despite losing 5-1 at the Flora Duffy Stadium just two days later

Findlay was particularly pleased with his side’s display in the first half, which resulted in them going into half-time trailing 2-1.

“I think we saw a good response from them and I think they looked a lot more balanced,’’ Findlay said.

“We made it clear to them after the first game that the first thing we wanted to see was a response from them. They looked more engaged and they certainly competed for the first 45 minutes at a very high level for where they play at this moment in time.

“You’re never happy with results that are not in your favour and so from a results point of view I’m disappointed, but I was really pleased with the response that they gave.”

After the game on Sunday, Findlay said that lessons needed to be learned by some members of his squad.

“I think they learnt very quickly from Sunday night,’’ the coach said. “We weren't as stretched as we were in the first game, but still there was still some little bit of tactical nativity.

“This was an opportunity to learn to see where we need to provide some sort of direction and focus moving forward.”

Findlay also spoke on the inclusion of older players such as Domico Coddington, who at the of 39 is top scorer in the Premier Division this season.

“If we didn't have the under-20 qualifiers going on, you would have seen a different squad of players,’’ Findlay told The Royal Gazette.

“But when we requested the engagement of club coaches, we asked them to focus on their under-23 group within their teams, and players they thought could be given this opportunity.

“We also asked them that if they feel there is somebody else who’s been performing for them, they should recommend them and we’ll make that decision, which is why you saw players like Coddington.

“Danté Leverock and the other guys are part of our senior group. We just wanted to balance that out and give the players that were coming in some experience around them, both on and off the field.”

PHC midfielder Keishon Bean enjoyed playing against the USL Championship side and called for more such opportunities.

“It definitely improved our style of play and fitness,’’ Bean said.

“Playing against such teams definitely improves your intensity. If we could be honest, playing locally is not as high intensity as it should be. Opportunities like this should happen more often to allow the local players to get the experience to train at a high intensity like this.

“I believe in the second game we actually did a better job in pressing than the first game. It was fun to see how we could play against a team like that. They were very good on the ball, very tactical, they know how to move the ball around and make a lot of runs.”

PHC striker Enrique Russell, one of the leading scorers in the Premier Division this season felt he benefited immensely from the two matches.

“It was a great experience,” Russell said. “They’re a very good side and it’s good to get on the field against such opposition to see what you should aspire to be as a player, physically and mentally.

“This is a very good side, very tactical, and your goal should be to get to that point.

“I felt we pushed well in the second game, better than we did in the first one. Yes, we lost, but we can take a lot of positives from that.”

For Rhode Island coach Khano Smith, the trip to Bermuda was rewarding for his players, as they prepare for their maiden season in professional football. The pre-season camp also allowed the former Bermuda captain to spend time with his family on the island.

“It was a worthwhile experience,’’ Smith said. “It was good for us and for the Bermuda Football Association. We grew as a team on and off the field, and that was the purpose of the trip.

“We’re not worried about the results, at the end of the day, these are not the results we’re going to be judged off and once the season starts nobody is going to remember the pre-season scores.”

Rhode Island player Noah Fuson, 24, grew up in Los Angeles and was awed by the beauty of Bermuda. He is already planning a vacation for him and his girlfriend during the off-season.

“I absolutely loved Bermuda,’’ Fuson said. “From seeing the beautiful ocean, the people were so welcoming and kind, I felt like I was at home.

“I loved my experience and my time here and I would love to come back. The first day when I arrived I texted my girlfriend and said we have to come to Bermuda in the off-season on vacation.”

Turning to the two matches, Fuson saluted the Bermudian team for making them work hard for the wins.

“It was a really good experience and a good trip for us a group,’’ Fuson added.

“I think we’re coming closer, not just as team-mates but also as friends on and off the field, and I think that really helps with our connection and play.

“It was a really good pre-season camp and we got some good results. The scoreline obviously doesn't always reflect the game, they were two tough games and we played well.

“We had our moments and I think Bermuda also played well. They were physical with us and made us work for both wins.”