With two games left to play in the CONCACAF U17 Championship qualifiers in Florida, the [British] Virgin Islands (VI) boys [in yellow] will be looking to right some wrongs and put points on the board against Guyana from 9:15 am today, September 5, 2022, and St Martin on Wednesday. Photo: BVIFA/Facebook

The VI U17 footballers in practice session in Miami, Florida. Photo: BVIFA

Their opponents today at the IMG Academy in Bradenton suffered a defeat by Bonaire and two victories against Bahamas and Saint Martin, sitting third in the group on six points.

The VI; however, have fallen in all three games played so far, including the latest matchup with the Bahamas, which resulted in an identical score line to when the two teams last met back in 2016.

Vs Bahamas

Robert Holcombe scored the only goal of the game (33^rd minute) for the Bahamas as they edged the VI 1-0. The goal came from a defensive error straight after the refreshment break, from a free kick just inside the VI half and came against the run of play, with the VI Boys bossing possession and causing the Bahamas constant threats from down the flanks.

The second half continued in much the same vein as the Boys, urged on by the Coaches, looked for the equalizer, but despite good build-up play, the final ball somehow went begging and the Bahamian defense stayed resolute.

“We just couldn’t get the connection in their box,” commented Coach Jermain Abrams. “Nothing seemed to fall for us, and their goal came from nothing. There were some heavy legs out there, the team played well overall and once our luck changes, then satisfactory results are just around the corner,” Abrams added.

The defeat marked a third in a row for the VI who have definitely been on the wrong side of lady luck in defeats to Bermuda, and Bonaire, but it is a learning curve and not once have the team let their heads drop.

Vs Bonaire

“Another tough game! (against Bonaire). We bounced back well after the defeat against Bermuda, but made some simple mistakes to end up losing,” noted Abrams. “We were physically ok, but mentally we weren’t quite right and gave them gifts.”

Bonaire were gifted an opener in just the 8^th minute and despite Johnny Jay Rowe equalising for the VI in the 32^nd minute, Bonaire would snatch what turned out to be a winner in the 35^th minute.

Vs Bermuda

And in their opener against Bermuda, the VI Boys conceded three first-half goals before rallying and putting in a much more disciplined second-half performance, before Bermuda wrapped up the points, adding a fourth in the 75^th minute.

Abrams was proud of his team, not proud of the result but proud of the performance.

“We started well as a team, despite Bermuda being very good on the press and with the ball. We gave them a penalty and as the humidity began to affect the players, we gave away a soft second and it was an uphill battle from there. We defended resolutely, compact and organised, but another penalty killed the game off, but overall, the team played together and stuck at it.”