(Havana) – Cayman Islands footballers will not be going to the Olympics next year but at least they came through their first major tournament in years better for the experience.
Coach Brown changed the defensive format Photo: Ron Shillingford |
Cayman’s Under-23 Olympic footballers were in Cuba this week for the first round Caribbean qualifiers to reach the Beijing Games.
On Sunday they played Puerto Rico in their first Group C game at the Pedro Marrero Stadium, Havana and lost 4-1. Cayman’s goal came from a penalty in the first half by Dion Brandon. His strike made it 1-1 and Cayman were 2-1 down at half-time but Puerto Rico made the most of their opportunities after the break to win comfortably.
Cayman coach Carl Brown was disappointed with overall team performance yet was encouraged by the fact that Cayman created a few chances but snatched at their openings.
Meanwhile, the mighty Cubans hammered Bermuda 6-0.
On Tuesday Cuba continued to find the net easily, going 5-0 up at half-time against Puerto Rico and eventually winning 8-0. (Cayman played Cuba last night, after we had gone to press.)
At least Cayman played better against Bermuda on Tuesday. There were fewer defensive errors and the strikers found a few more opportunities.
Cayman started the game brightly against the Bermudians with Metchie Williams firing across goal early on. Cayman’s Tex Whitelocke looked lucky not to concede a penalty when he appeared to handle in his box. Bermuda had more of the possession in the first-half but solid Cayman defending reduced them to a couple of long range efforts without troubling keeper Jermaine Brown.
After the break, Brown was kept busy. He had to dive well at the feet of Donald Solomon and generally saw a lot more action than his opposite number.
Cayman did create a couple of good chances though, especially when Kevin McField squared for Gabriel Godet but his shot from close range sailed over.
Brown made a spectacular one-handed save from a deft Shayne Hollis shot as Cayman were pinned in their own half towards the end of the game. Bermuda’s pressure almost paid off as corners and free kicks almost overwhelmed Cayman but they held firm. In fact, from a breakaway they might have snatched victory when McField again squared it, this time to Donovan Godet but his diagonal shot was just wide.
A 30 yard scorcher by Bermuda’s Seion Darrell was acrobatically pushed round the post by Brown in the dying seconds. The 0-0 result wasn’t a fair reflection of all the quality play by both teams and terrific action in the box.
Brandon finished the game with his right arm in a sling after damaging his ribs. He had been stretchered off earlier but showed his lion’s heart to see out the game and earn himself Cayman’s man of the match award. Donald Solomon also had an outstanding game as did Cayman captain Rene Carter who marshalled the team well from defence.
It was a much improved display by Cayman who might have taken three points but for lack of composure in front of goal.
Coach Brown said: ‘After the poor performance against Puerto Rico, they showed character. They were very nervous and uncertain against Puerto Rico but there was a lot more certainty out there today.
‘Probably the weakest part of our unit is our strike force and they’re working on it. It is going to take more time and they need more games like this to understand what it takes to make the most of half chances and put them away.
‘We played with a back four today, something I’m trying to introduce to the team and we saw a lot better shape.’
Cayman manager Greg Ebanks said: ‘The team improved today, showing basically a lot more desire to compete harder and to win. I think we had the better opportunities at goal. Not taking anything away from Bermuda, I think they had a good game as well, they put some good passes together. There were periods when Bermuda dominated with possession. We deprived them of any open opportunities and we had more opportunities than they did.
‘We’re growing and it will take a significant amount of time to progress. Continuously playing amateur football won’t cut it. We need to aspire for excellence and that excellence is true professionalism. We need to take it to another level like other countries are doing for us to advance.’
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