The Tribune

By TENAJH SWEETING

Tribune Sports Reporter

tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas senior men’s national soccer team experienced mixed results in the first window of the CONCACAF Nations League group stage in Christiansted, US Virgin Islands.

The “Junkanoo Boyz” had momentum on their side in the early stages of their match against Barbados, but gave up some ground which resulted in a 3-2 loss at the Bethlehem Soccer Complex on Saturday.

The visiting team currently owns a 0-1-1 win/draw/loss in League C of Group A with one point. Barbados leads the group with a 1-0-0 record and three points overall.

Assistant coach Kevin Davies gave his thoughts on the team’s latest performance against Barbados.

“Overall, I think we played well again but we didn’t come out with the result that we wanted. There were a couple of mental lapses and they took advantage of it. 

“We certainly had our opportunities to score and win the game but we just didn’t take advantage of the opportunities. If you do not take advantage of the opportunities, this is the result you end up with sometimes,” he said.

The Bajans wasted no time getting into the action. 

Barbados’ Zachary Applewhite launched a right-footed shot from outside the box to score his first international goal and give his team a 1-0 advantage at the 10th minute. 

Brandon Adderley, representing The Bahamas, netted his third goal of the September window at the 42nd minute of play. He scored the goal off a header from the left side of the six-yard box to level the score at 1-1.

Adderley tried to take the lead off another header but his attempt was blocked and the score was locked at 1-1 after the first half.

He got his second goal of the Nations League matchup at the 66th minute with a left-footed attempt from the centre of the box. The Bahamas extended the lead to 2-1.

Barbados’ Ethan Taylor sank the ball to the back of the net off an assist from teammate Mario Williams. He tied the game 2-2 at the 80th minute. 

Andre Applewhite then finished the game off for Barbados at the 82nd minute with a kick from the left side of the box.

The Bahamas is tied with the US Virgin Islands at one point apiece in the League C, Group A standings.

The ‘Junkanoo Boyz’ will resume play in the October window and, based on their play so far, coach Davies is optimistic about their chances.

“There were a lot of bright spots. I think the team finally played the way we wanted them to play. 

“We were able to keep possession of the ball and sometimes do what we wanted to do and put pressure on the other team.

“We certainly have a lot to build on and some things to improve on but I think we could be in a good position for the next window,” he said. 

The October window of the group phase will run from October 7-15. 

It will be followed by the November window which takes place November 11-15.

The CONCACAF Nations League matchups serve as a qualifier for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup event scheduled to take place March 23 next year.