Bermuda to face Cuba in Nations League warm-up games - St. Lucia News Online

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Bermuda coach Kyle Lightbourne

HAMILTON, Bermuda, Feb 8, CMC – Bermuda will play Cuba in two warm-up matches in Havana as they gear up for their final CONCACAF Nations League qualifier against the Dominican Republic next month, officials here announced on Thursday.

The Bermuda squad will head to the Cuban capital on February 23 ahead of games against the hosts, who are 10 places higher than the visitors in the CONCACAF rankings, on February 25 and 27.

“It should be a good run out for us,” Bermuda’s national coach Kyle Lightbourne said.

“Cuba have nine points [in the qualifying standings] and will be at home so will probably be able to have a strong team.

“We were hoping to play Cuba and the Cayman Islands, two teams who recently played against the Dominican Republic, but that didn’t quite work out.

“I’m really going to be concentrating on specialised positions in these matches, so that’s our main focus and what I will be trying to get out of it.”

Bermuda are seventh in the Nations League qualifying standings and in a strong position with two wins from three games. The top 10 teams advance to the Gold Cup, a tournament Bermuda have never previously reached.

Bermuda are away to the Dominican Republic in their final qualifying match to be held at the Estadio Cibao on March 24.

Dominican Republic are currently ranked 154th by FIFA, 22 places above Bermuda.

Bermuda lost their opening qualifier 3-1 away to Aruba, but bounced back at home to beat Sint Maarten 12-0 and El Salvador 1-0, with UK-based striker Nahki Wells getting the upset winner against the Central Americans.