The British Virgin Islands Under 20 football team faced a challenging start to the 2024 CONCACAF Under 20 Championship Qualifier, enduring an 8-0 defeat against the formidable host, Nicaragua, in the opening match on Friday.
Playing at approximately 9:00 p.m. BVI time, the young BVI squad found themselves under early pressure as Nicaragua swiftly found the net, securing their first two goals within the opening 12 minutes of the game.
At the halftime whistle, the host team had already notched up four goals on the scoreboard, courtesy of Joab Gutierrez (6’), Francis Castillo (12’, 39’), and Kenler Cayasso (25’). The offensive onslaught from Nicaragua persisted into the second half, with additional goals coming from Andres Martinez (47’, 61’), Fredy Ortiz (56’), and Izamuel Martinez (81’).
The dominance displayed by Nicaragua was evident in the shot count, with 29 attempts compared to the British Virgin Islands’ two. The BVI Under 20 team faced a resilient opponent, and despite their best efforts, the Nicaraguan team proved formidable.
The focus now shifts to the next challenge for the BVI Under 20 team as they regroup and aim to rebound in their second game of the tournament. They are set to face Cuba on Sunday at 6:00 p.m. BVI time.