U-20 national team drop first match at World Cup qualifiers
The Cayman Islands under-20 team at the World Cup qualifiers: (L-R, back) Shakur Welcome, Elijah Seymour, Matthew Guitard, Joshewa Frederick, Ackeem Hyde and Zach Scott; (L-R, front) Michael Martin-Cruz, Stephen Rivers, Leighton Thomas, Kory McLean and Sebastian Martinez
(CNS): The Under-20 Boys’ National Football Team fell to Bermuda 3-0 in the opening Group 3 game held 29 June at the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Under-20 World Cup qualifiers in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Trailing 1-0 at halftime to a Liam Evans 19th-minute strike, the Cayman Islands showed grit and determination as they hit the post twice in quick succession and English-based midfielder Sebastian Martinez had a shot cleared off the line as the team pushed for the equaliser.
Bermuda’s Jaz Rattery-Smith scored in the 56th minute to make it 2-0 before Evans grabbed his second, and his country’s third, goal in the 87th minute, which ultimately sealed the win as the Cayman Islands squad pushed forward in search of goals.
In the second game, Haiti defeated Anguilla 8-0 to top the group on goal difference.
The Cayman Islands face Anguilla today (1 July) while Bermuda play hosts Haiti. In the final games on Sunday, 3 July, Anguilla play Bermuda and the Cayman Islands take on Haiti.
The Group 3 winners will join Group 1 winners Antigua & Barbuda, Group 2 winners Trinidad & Tobago and Group 4 winners St Kitts & Nevis, along with the three best runners-up, in the final round of CFU qualifiers scheduled for 21-30 October in Curacao.
