Strong defense in a physical contest pushed The Bahamas to a 3-0 win over Belize last night, all but wrapping up a quarter-final appearance at the 2017 CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football) Beach Soccer Championships.
After enduring a 1-0 cushion for much of the game, Team Bahamas got two goals less than two minutes apart in the final stanza, securing the shutout victory. The team would have to be beaten emphatically by Jamaica tonight to be denied of a quarter-final appearance - which would be its second straight at the CONCACAF Championships.
Knowing what was at stake last night, the team's most prolific offensive weapon Lesley St. Fleur said that it was imperative that they gave a good showing against Belize. He netted two of The Bahamas' three goals last night, after scoring a hat-trick against Guyana the night before.
"We knew that it was going to be a physical game, and it was. We just went out there, stayed focussed, and played hard," he said. "We're at home so we have to come out and be as productive as we could. The main thing is to play hard and put on a good show for the country."
The regional qualifier for the 2017 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup is ongoing over at the Malcolm Park Beach Soccer Facility at the foot of the Sir Sidney Poitier Bridge. The world cup, FIFA's (International Federation of Association Football) only global sporting event to ever be held in the Caribbean, is also set for The Bahamas, and will be held at the same venue from April 27 to May 7. The Bahamas qualifies for the world cup as the host country, no matter how they fare in this week's CONCACAF Championships. Be that as it may, defensive leader Nesley Jean said that they want to play as well as they can this week, and show the world what they are capable of. Jean was fantastic last night, aggressively confronting the Belizian attackers with his defense, thereby limiting their effectiveness. Behind his defensive prowess, The Bahamas has surrendered just one goal in two matches in this tournament.
"We came out here tonight to make a statement, and we feel that we were able to do that," said Jean. "We feel fabulous. We still have a long way to go, but each game we are learning and getting better. We just had to stay focussed and keep battling."
Jean said that they intend to be just as aggressive defensively against Jamaica tonight. That match is set for 8 p.m.
"We just have to prepare like we do everyday - we'll be ready. That's a very good team (Belize), very strong and very physical. We had to match their physical play. We did our best against them, and came out on top. It's still a learning experience for us, but we are getting better. We'll be ready for Jamaica," he said.
A win against Jamaica would confirm a spot in the quarter-finals for The Bahamas on Friday. The top two finishers from the CONCACAF Championships this week, other than The Bahamas, qualify for the world cup.
As for the game last night, St. Fleur got the scoring started for The Bahamas with a goal at the 7:34 mark of the second period. Gary Joseph gave The Bahamas an insurance goal at the 7:01 mark of the third period, and St. Fleur struck again less than two minutes later, at the 5:22 mark, to complete the scoring. Once again, Ivan "Boogie" Rolle was strong in goal for The Bahamas, turning back every shot that the Belizians directed his way.
"We came out here to win, and I'm happy that we were able to get it. I was happy to score," said Joseph. "We were leading, so coach just told us to slow the game down and stay relaxed. In the third period, we just decided to step it up. I know that Jamaica is coming strong, so it will be a tough game for us. We just need to stay focussed on what we have to do, and we will be okay."
St. Fleur is among the top scorers in the tournament. He now has five goals for The Bahamas - three on Monday, and two last night. It took him a while to get going this time, as he and Team Bahamas were shut out in the opening period, unlike Monday when St. Fleur scored twice in the first six minutes.
"That's the game of beach soccer. It took us a while to get in the groove of the game tonight," he said. "Our mindset was just to stay focussed and let the game come to us. We're very confident against Jamaica. Jamaica is a tough team, and they will play hard. They are going to bring their 'A' game, but we'll be ready."
St. Fleur, 27, plays professionally in Jamaica as a striker for Montego Bay United in the Jamaican Premier League. He's looking forward to the match against that nation tonight.
The Bahamas Football Association (BFA) is asking Bahamians from all walks of life to come to the park dressed in aqua colors tonight in support of Team Bahamas. A win against Jamaica tonight would ensure The Bahamas of an appearance in the tournament quarter-finals on Friday. The Bahamas is ranked at number five in CONCACAF, and is number 56 worldwide. Jamaica is at number nine in CONCACAF, and is number 70 worldwide.

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