Assistant Sports Editor

Three first-half goals helped the Azores Under-19 side to a 3-1 victory over the Bermuda Select in the Bermuda International Football Festival at the National Stadium last night.

Two goals from Diogo Andrade and a Ricardo Vargas strike gave the visiting side a 3-0 lead at the interval.

Tyrell Burgess, the BAA utility player, pulled a goal back late on in a sometimes bad-tempered match with a close-range header from a Daren Usher pullback.

A controversial penalty was awarded to the Azores in the eighth minute, which forward Andrade converted after sending PHC Zebras goalkeeper Shaquille Trott the wrong way.

Ricardo Vargas doubled the Azores’ lead when he followed up a rebound after midfielder Manuel Camara struck the crossbar from distance.

Andre Silva, the Azores defender, then watched his long-range effort tipped onto the woodwork by a full-stretch Trott.

Bermuda enjoyed their best period towards the end of the first half but conceded again when Andrade finished off a counterattacking move involving Camara.

Both teams made several changes during the second period, with Dale Eve replacing Trott in goal and making several impressive saves.

Burgess, a Bermuda substitute, had a free kick tipped over by goalkeeper Joao Cunha before finding the net with a header from just yards out.

Eve was one of a number of players on both sides to receive a booking after appearing to kick out at a Azores attacker late on.

Scott Morton, the Bermuda Select coach, said: “They were a good opponent and it’s not something the players are used to week in, week out on a Sunday.

“We only had two training sessions and one practice match, so I can’t ask for much more than what the players gave tonight.

“I’m glad [Azores] are here as we need games like these to improve football on our island.”

Morton said he was encouraged by his team’s improved second-half display.

“We made the adjustments according to what they were doing,” he said. “I should have made more adjustments in the first half to accomplish that.”