The Nassau GuardianSend an emailSeptember 1, 2022 187 1 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email
The Bahamas’ Under-17 Boys National Soccer Team kicked off the 2022 CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football) Under-17 (U17) Championship Qualifiers at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, with a big 2-1 victory over Dutch territory Sint Maarten in Group A in competition.
After Sint Maarten took the initial lead in the first half, The Bahamas’ Reuben Edgecombe clawed the squad back into the match with a 25-yard rocket which caught the Sint Maarten goalkeeper off his line in the 32nd minute of the game.
Kai Perez got the game winner for The Bahamas off a rebound from a long free kick by captain William Gardiner, putting the Bahamian team up 2-1, in the 63rd minute of the game. The defense continued to frustrate the Sint Maarten squad. They tried in vain to break The Bahamas’ defense the rest of the way. Timely saves by Bahamian goalkeeper Ahmaad Smith allowed The Bahamas to walk off with the victory in rainy weather.
The squad, led by Head Coach Nesly Jean and assistant coaches Kevin Davies and Avery Kemp alongside Bahamas Football Association’s (BFA) Technical Director Bruce Swan, now begin preparation for their next match on Thursday. They will take on powerhouse Guyana at 11 a.m.
Against Sint Maarten, The Bahamas’ Man of the Match was Kai Perez.