Bermuda Must Dig Deep in Panama by Kim Swan

Bermuda heads off to Panama 🇵🇦 for the second leg of the CONCACAF Nations League A Match against Panama facing a stiff challenge.

Following Thursday night’s defeat, Bermuda 1 vs Panama 4, Bermuda’s Gombey Warriors must dig deep in Panama against a well seasoned opponent heading home fresh off of their opening win.

Following a 1-2 halftime score, the final score did not reflect that the match, which was closely contested throughout, with two mental errors late in the match – Panama capitalized on two golden opportunities (with two late goals) providing a more comfortable winning margin as Bermuda desperately pursued a second equalizer.

Coach Kyle Lightbourn expressed his pride for the efforts of the Bermuda Team but conceded: “We (Bermuda) got off to a slow start and found ourselves having to attack looking for an equalizer most of the game”, clearly Bermuda vulnerable on the counter attack.

The Match was a far more exciting than the final score would suggest. Panamá (ranked 74 by FIFA) showed class with there skillful moves and possession football. Bermuda (ranked 175 by FIFA) and against an opponent 100 points below them in FIFA World Rankings it was never a one-sided attempt.

The atmosphere at the National Stadium was electric with fans packing the western pavilion with the eastern stands sixty percent full moving to the beat of the Gombey drummers.

Minister of Sports & Culture, Lovitta summed it up best: “Our Bermuda National Football Team have made us proud by reaching this high level within the CONCACAF. I want our players to know that we are behind them 100 percent.”