T series a huge boost for Bermuda, says president
HAMILTON, Bermuda (CMC) — Bermuda Football Association boss Richard Calderon believes the national Under-23s’ encouraging draw on Friday against a powerful Trinidad & Tobago Under-23 side will serve as a major psychological boost for the players and proves the island can hold their own against the Caribbean’s best nations.
Speaking following Bermuda’s 1-1 draw, Calderon said it had been imperative for Bermuda Under-23s to bounce back with a positive result having suffered a 5-2 defeat in the opening game last Monday.
“This was a significant result for us,” said Calderon.
“Although Trinidad are ahead of us I do not think they are three goals ahead of us. It was critical for us to finish with a good performance and result — I am absolutely thrilled for our players.
“This game was a far better indication of how we can play. We eliminated the mental lapses of concentration that cost us the first game and corrected our mistakes.”
The BFA president said it was vital they provided Bermuda’s Under-23s with tough matches in the build-up the CAC Games in July, and envisioned them competing against powerhouses from the region such as Honduras, Costa Rica and the United States in the near future.
“We want to keep on testing ourselves against top teams like Trinidad,” Calderon said.
Despite luring the Caribbean’s best young team to the island, Trinidad and Tobago’s trip failed to attract the number of spectators the BFA required to balance its books.
The BFA needed 1,500 fans for each of the three matches to break even and Calderon said he was disappointed more fans did not turn up to support Bermuda’s most promising young players.
“I was a little disappointed with the turn-out from our supporters,” he lamented.
“I would have loved to see more Bermudians at the National Sports Centre to support our team. We needed 1,500 each game to break even and we were nowhere near that.”
He added: “The upside is Trinidad and Tobago will now have to reciprocate and host us for three games some time in the first quarter of 2010. I think the whole exercise proved very worthwhile though.”