DESPITE a battling performance a much-changed Bahamas exited the 2018 Fifa World Cup at the first qualifying stage yesterday when they went down 3-0 in Bermuda in the second leg of their CONCACAF preliminary round tie.

The Bahamas - beaten 5-0 in the home leg in Nassau on Wednesday - held the more talented Bermudians at bay until the last 11 minutes at the National Stadium, North Shore Village, before conceding three late goals to go out 8-0 on aggregate.

Nahki Wells, who missed a first-half penalty, broke Bahamian resistance after 79 minutes and after Tyrell Burgess hit a second goal three minutes later, scored his second near the end. Wells, who plays professionally for Huddersfield Town in the English Championship, also scored in the first game.

The Bahamas were missing a number of players - including Lesly St Fleur and Nesley Jean - who had travelled to El Salvador for the CONCAF Beach Soccer Championship this weekend and head coach Dion Godet opted for a youthful lineup. Cameron Hepple, who had played in the first leg, missed the tie because of a broken bone in his ankle while Happy Hall, sent off in the home leg, was suspended.

Dylan Pritchard and Ambry Moss formed a new centre back pairing flanked by Isaiah Collie and Devaughn Williamson, who both impressed. Kristoff Wood did well with Chris Larson as defensive midfielders while Connor Sheehan was outstanding on the ball with some fancy footwork.

Wingers Perry Brookes and Terry Delancey added width with Ian Winder the lone striker. In the first half the Bahamas did well in not allowing many opportunities and also maintaining possession.

At half time the Bahamas made changes and began to attack with more confidence. Winder was substituted at half-time with Richie Munroe coming in on the right and Delancey moving to the lone forward role. Early in the second half Williamson crossed the ball for Munroe’s header to bring a fine save out of the Bermuda goalkeeper.

Bermuda made the breakthough after Wood had made way for Chris Godet and it was his unfortunate errors that led to two quick goals. But it was a much improved showing by the Bahamas in the second leg and the score did not reflect how well they played.

The match attracted a good crowd after strong interest in tickets to watch Bermuda, who will face Guatemala in the seocnd round.

BAHAMAS: Dwayne Whylly (sub: Carroll 84 mins), Ambry Moss, Connor Sheehan, Christopher Larson, Dylan Pritchard, Isaiah Collie, Terry Delancy, Devaughn Williamson, Kristoff Wood (sub: Christopher Godet, 64), Perry Brookes, Ian Winder (sub: Richard Munroe, 45).