Andrew Armstrong is relishing the opportunity to fulfil an ambition of representing Bermuda on the international stage.
The Prompton Lakes School senior is a member of Bermuda’s squad that is competing in the Concacaf Under-20 Championship Qualifier in St Kitts & Nevis.
“Representing Bermuda on an international stage has always been something I’ve wanted to do from a very young age, watching my brother [Nathan] follow in my father’s [Terrance] footsteps in running,” Armstrong told The Royal Gazette. “I came close in track and field by almost qualifying for the Carifta Games like my brother, Nathan.
“It feels amazing to have the chance to represent and play for the national team.”
Expectations are high for the 18-year-old striker who underlined his potential by setting two new school scoring records last season.
Armstrong established a single season school record of 37 goals to take his overall tally to 88, which is also a school record.
It is this prolific form that the Bermuda coaching staff will be hoping the player can emulate as the side attempt to seal qualification.
“I am in very good form at the moment, coming off a very solid season,” Armstrong added. “I believe I will be playing the No 9 role, which is definitely my strongest position.”
Armstrong has been making the necessary adjustments to coach Cecoy Robinson’s playing system since joining the squad in Miami earlier this week.
“The transition has definitely been a little different. The level of play is fast, which I much prefer as it helps me to stay sharp on my toes and make quicker decisions on and off the ball,” he said.
“Although we don’t all play together regularly; we all play at such a high level year round. There’s really no big adjustment, just some fine tuning by the coaches in training to better understand each other on and off the pitch.
“Training was very good and intense and starting to get exciting. It felt really good to get a solid training session in warm weather with the team before we headed over to St Kitts.”
Bermuda, who have been drawn in group F alongside Jamaica, Grenada and Martinique, are attempting to make their second appearance at the Concacaf Under-20 Championship after they were eliminated in the group stage at the event in Costa Rica in 2017 under Kyle Lightbourne.
Only the group winners will advance to the 2024 tournament, where they will be joined by the six pre-seeded top-ranked nations.
Armstrong believes the team are capable of achieving their primary objective.
“I believe the team has a very good chance to top our group, especially when you look at the talent we possess,” he added. “As a team we need to be strong on the ball when in possession and finish our chances. When not in possession, we need to work as a whole to win the ball back quickly.
“It would mean so much [qualification], especially with it being my first time with the squad, and I think everyone is ready to make that happen
“I see it as a big challenge, but it is a chance to show how good of a group this Bermuda team really is.”
Armstrong is among a host of overseas-based players in Bermuda’s squad which also includes defender Harry Twite, who made his debut for the senior national team during the Concacaf Nations League and was also at the Island Games in Guernsey last year.
2023 (REDSHIRT SENIOR): Started all 12 games in his first season as a Razorback, leading the team in receptions (56), yards (764), receiving yards per game (63.7) and touchdowns (5) to earn Fourth-Team All-SEC honors from Phil Steele … His 32 points led all position players and his 767 all-purpose yards were second on the squad … Led all receivers with 34 of his catches going for first downs … Paced the team in receiving yards in eight of 12 games … Caught five passes for 78 yards and a touchdown in season-opening win over Western Carolina (Sept. 2), hauling in a 16-yard touchdown in the third quarter … Scored a season-high two touchdowns in win over Kent State (Sept. 9), catching four passes for 21 yards with a five-yard TD and nine-yard TD … Matched a career-high with nine receptions – the most by an Arkansas WR in 2023 – for 98 yards vs. BYU (Sept. 16) … Caught six passes for 76 yards at LSU (Sept. 23) … Produced 78 yards on three catches vs. Texas A&M (Sept. 30), including a 48-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter … Snagged a team-high eight passes for 86 yards at Ole Miss (Oct. 7) … Hauled in four passes in back-to-back games at Alabama (Oct. 14) for 48 yards and vs. Mississippi State (Oct. 21) for 35 yards … Recorded his first 100-yard game as a Hog in win at Florida (Nov. 4), catching three passes for 103 yards, including 60 yards after catch … Caught two passes for 34 yards vs. Auburn (Nov. 11) … Recorded his first rush of the season with a three-yard run in win over Florida International (Nov. 18) to go with four catches for 67 yards … Hauled in four passes for 40 yards, including his final touchdown of the season, vs. Missouri (Nov. 24).
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