Greenland crash to defeat whilst Falklands secure rare win on Island Games opening day

The biennial Island Games got underway in Bermuda over the weekend and on the opening night of football the hosts, who are members of FIFA, saw off Greenland 3-0 whilst the Falkland Islands made a fine start to their campaign by defeating Frøya to secure only their 4^th-ever international victory.

Packed...the national stadium was full.

In front of almost 8000 fans in Hamilton Greenland put in an impressive opening 45 but fell behind early on when Zeiko Lewis crossed for Domico Coddington to slide home from close range in the 10^th minute. The 1^st half was cagey but there was an electric start to the 2^nd period which started when Denmark-based striker Daniel Knudsen hit the post right before the hosts when straight up the other end where Antwan Russell skied a close-range effort.

Minutes later and Bermuda were awarded a penalty when Nukanguaq Zeeb fouled Russell in the box. The striker, who plays in England with non-league Ilkeston, made it 2-0. Knudsen forced Freddy Hall into a good save as the Greenlanders continued to press but Lewis wrapped the game up in style, lobbing Loke Svane to make it 3.

Match information -

Score: Bermuda 3-0 Greenland

Goals: Domico Coddington 10’, Antwan Russell 51’ (pen), Zeiko Lewis 58’.

Greenland XI: Svane; N Zeeb, K Mathæussen, J Broberg [Eldevig 60’], Birch; Lundblad, N Mathæussen, Petersen, K Zeeb, Bidstrup; Jensen [Knudsen 46’].

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The Falkland Islands effectively ensured a 1st-ever medal finish after beating Frøya 2-1 in a game that also decided the destination of the Small Islands Cup, which the Falklands had held after triumphing over Alderney 3-0 in 2011.

Rare...the 4th ever Falklands win.

The Norwegian side won 3-1 in the only previous meeting in 2009 but it was the Falklanders who made the better start yesterday with Wayne Clement going close after 6 minutes. Clement is the Falkland Islands record scorer with 3 goals and he extended that tally in the 17^th minute when he fired beyond Arvid Sørdal for 1-0. The Atlantic Ocean side ended the half stronger and Josh Peck shot narrowly wide after Sørdal could only parry Patricio Balladares free-kick in the 44^th minute.

Sørdal was called into action once more after the break when he denied Clement a 2^nd in the 50^th minute. Frøya began to put pressure on Ben Hoyles’ goal and defender Jon Ivar Theodorsen went close before they found the equaliser via Andreas Johansen in the 62^nd minute following a poorly defended free-kick. Aqqalu Luberth was causing problems for the Falklands but they took only 4 minutes to restore their lead, Balladares crossing for Rafael Sotomayor to head home.

Clement and Sotomayor had opportunities to wrap the game up late on but in the end the Falkland Islands were happy to settle for 2-1 and celebrate a rare win. They take on the hosts today and Frøya and Greenland meet looking to get their campaign underway.

Match information - 

Score: Frøya 1-2 Falkland Islands

Goals: Frøya - Andreas Johansen 62’. Falkland Islands - Wayne Clement 17’, Rafael Sotomayor 66’.

Frøya XI: Sørdal; Theodorsen, Skarsvåg, Mathisen, Iversen  Luberth, Johansen, Hallaren, Mathissen [Vikan 85’]; Gaasø, Larsen.

Falkland Islands XI: Hoyles; K Biggs, Elbakidze, Gilson-Clarke, L Clarke; Ross, D Biggs, Balladares, Peck; Sotomayor, Clement.