Bermuda fired themselves into the driving seat to qualify for the next round of the World Cup qualifiers after recording an astonishing victory over Trinidad and Tobago. John Barry Nusum scored two precious away goals against the Caribbean powerhouse who were roundly booed off the pitch at the Marvin Lee Stadium last night.
Kenny Thompson's men executed their coach's game plan to perfection by frustrating the hosts and hitting them repeatedly on the break. They will look to finish off the job in this Sunday's home leg at the National Sports Stadium.
Khano Smith orchestrated the opener by effortlessly burning off his namesake Kareem Smith, before delivering a devilish low cross for Nusum to pounce and stun the home crowd. Trinidad's veteran John then had a great chance to equalise but tamely fired straight at ‘keeper Timmy Figureido.
The match was being played at a frantic pace with chances aplenty for both sides. Midfielder Keishen Bean was the next to squander a good opportunity and could only poke Kwame Steede’s right wing cross into Clayton Ince’s arms.
Hearts were in mouths moments later when Figureido fumbled a long range effort from Keon Daniel, which embarrassingly bounced between his legs and appeared to be rolling agonisingly towards the goal line, until the ‘keeper made amends for his error and gratefully collected the loose ball.
The hosts were mounting pressure and made the breakthrough when a chipped pass from Portsmouth trialist Khaleem Hyland eluded Bermuda's back-line, allowing John to smack a bouncing shot past Figureido.
Stern then inexplicably wasted a gilt-edged opportunity when he somehow shot wide at the near post from Carlos Edwards’ right wing cross. Trinidad, featuring a raft of English professionals, were enjoying plenty of possession, switching play attractively across the artificial pitch and it was against the run of play when Bermuda took the lead again.
Nusum calmly placed a shot from the edge of the area into an empty net, after Clayton Ince had been pole-axed following a challenge with Damon Ming. Trinidad’s defenders committed the cardinal sin of not playing to the referee’s whistle and seemed to freeze, while Ming lifted himself off the ground to play the ball back to Nusum to finish.
Even the Soca Warriors’ rhythm section from behind the goal were shocked into silence when the referee pointed to the centre circle, triggering joyous celebrations as Nusum ran towards the dugout to envelope coach Thompson in an embrace.
The second-half saw Trinidad continue to enjoy superior swathes of possession, while Bermuda looked to pounce on the counter-attack via wingers Smith and Ming. Ming, who was at his impish best, then crafted a superb opening by for Nusum who missed out on a hat-trick when he failed to connect fully with the winger’s cross.
Frustrations were escalating around the Marvin Lee Stadium with the hosts resorting to long-range efforts with both Kareem Smith and skipper Artis Whitney firing over the bar.
Gamesmanship then ensued when Trinidad refused to kick the ball out of play when Khano Smith went under a heavy challenge with 'keeper Ince, obviously still smarting from the referee’s decision to allow play to continue in the build up to Bermuda’s second. Trinidad continued to probe and create chances with both Jason Scotland and John missing opportunities as the Bermuda defence held firm.