Bermuda 0, Brazil 2 Bermuda almost certainly bowed out of these Pan-Am finals last night. But when they ride out of Tandil later this week, they can do so with their heads held high.

This was a gutsy, never-say-die performance which earned Mark Trott's Under-23s the admiration of the crowd and the respect of their opposition.

However, as expected against the silky ball skills and superior talent of players being groomed to fill the shoes of Brazil's current World Cup champions, it wasn't enough.

Coupled with Costa Rica's 4-1 demolition of Chile in the opening match, Bermuda's defeat leaves them with a mountain to climb. To qualify for Saturday's quarter-final they now need to beat Costa Rica handily tomorrow night and hope Brazil inflict similar punishment on Chile. And even then a place in the quarters wouldn't be guaranteed, qualification being dependant on other group results.

Trott can be proud of the manner in which his team refused to buckle last night, often under intense pressure.

And while they rarely tested Brazilian 'keeper Adilson De Souza, it can be safely said that Bermuda's own 'keeper, Dwayne Adams, has endured busier nights during his spell with BAA.

In what has become typical of these Games, a last-minute change of mind by organisers resulted in Bermuda taking to the pitch two hours later than originally scheduled -- a move reportedly made to accomodate Brazilian TV.

When the game did kick off, it was immediately apparent Bermuda would need to use all of their defensive savvy as wave after wave of yellow shirts crashed towards goal.

But defend they did, and although sometimes it wasn't pretty, it was effective.

Trott made three changes from the team that started against Chile, bringing in Kimani Binns, Ascento Russell and Janerio Tucker for Quincy Aberdeen, Dean Bailey and Nakia Smith, although Aberdeen and Smith were both introduced later as substitutes.

A mix-up between Adams and Karl Roberts almost proved disastrous in the opening minutes, and a mis-kick by Andrew Rahman similarly saw the Brazilian forwards fail to cash in.

But Brazil continued to make midfield their own, stringing passes together with nonchalant ease and seemingly attacking at will. That said, Adams was rarely tested with a real threatening shot as many of Brazil's attacks crumbled against a wall of blue shirts.

Tucker went into the referees' book for a careless tackle after 20 minutes, and just a minute later Brazil finally found a way through.

A ball into the area failed to receive the big hoof forward that Bermuda had been using to good effect, and William Anderson was on hand to lash it past Adams from 10 yards.

The floodgates, it seemed, were about to open. But to Bermuda's credit they came roaring back and for the first time in the match put the South Americans under pressure.

Dano Outerbridge fired wide from outside the box, Jahmal Samuels hit a shot which 'keeper De Souza fumbled before recovering and Tucker attempted a long range effort which sailed over.

Bermuda didn't earn their first corner until on the stroke of half-time, and they must have wished they had made better use of it as within seconds of the re-start Brazil doubled their lead.

A neat ball into the area found Sandro Yokota who stroked his shot past Adams with precision.

Immediately coach Trott brought on Nakia Smith to replace Samuels, but the yellow tide began to flood forward. For a short spell Adams found himself the busiest man on the pitch as shots rained in from all angles.

Bermuda: Dwayne Adams, Dano Outerbridge, Shawn Smith, Andrew Rahman, Kimandi Binns, Janeiro Tucker (Quincy Aberdeen 68 mins), Otis Steede, Karl Roberts, Shawn Simons, Ascento Russell, Jahmah Samuels (Nakia Smith 46 mins).

Brazil: Adilson De Souza, Do Carmo Neto, Carlos Rodrigues, Marcelo Bordon, Renaldo Guiaro, Fabio De Brito, Farbricio Maia (Elton Melo 75 mins), Sandro Yokota, Silvio Antonio, William Anderson (E.De Moraes 75 mins), Ricardo De Souza.

Referee: Gilberto Alcala (Mexico).

Men of the match: Dano Outerbridge (Bermuda), Fabio De Brito (Brazil).