designs on returning home two points richer after Sunday's second-round World Cup qualifier against Bermuda at the National Stadium (3 p.m.).

Players appeared very loose and jovial after what amounted to a nine-hour flight from a homeland buried in guerrilla warfare. Many were seen `bobbing and weaving' to some form of phantom music as they posed for pictures.

Speaking through an interpreter, their Uruguayan coach Anibal Ruiz said that the entire country was in firm support of his side who come in having thrashed neighbours Nicaragua 10-1 on aggregate back in July to reach this stage.

"El Salvador is very happy right now because they are coming to Bermuda and El Salvador (the people) is 100 percent behind their football team,'' said Ruiz, who took over the team in February. "Right now El Salvador is training very hard, but we do not know anything about Bermuda. All we can do is to try our best.'' Unlike Bermuda, who have not engaged in a meaningful match since July when they beat Antigua 2-1 at home to reach the second round, the Central American republic have been quite active. They have played against Honduras three times, winning twice and drawing the other, and were soundly beaten by a superior Mexican squad 2-0.

Said Ruiz: "Mexico attacked us, we tried to do something else but they (Mexico) wouldn't let us.'' The sides could possibly meet again in the next round if both are successful in placing among the top two of their respective groups. Mexico are in Group A along with St. Vincent, Honduras and Costa Rica.

El Salvador last qualified for the finals in 1982 when Italy performed duties as hosts.

But first the game at hand, and Bermuda must be wary after seeing the Nicaragua result, which may have motivated manager Gary Darrell to utilise a five-man defensive formation.

With the nickname `Magico' and having scored three goals in their last two World Cup matches, midfielder Jorge Gonsalez will warrant particular attention from his local counterpart.

Captain Miguel Estrada is the on-field leader, while Oscar Ulloa and Carlos Castro form what has proven to be a lethal double-strike combination, one that accounted for four of the 10 goals against Nicaragua.

From a 4-4-2 formation, fans can expect to see the tourists employ the short-passing, ball-control style with plenty of running off the ball...much like what is expected out of Bermuda.

"We are very quick,'' said Ruiz, whose team possess quite a bit of experience as witnessed by an average age of 26 compared to 24 for Bermuda. "We want to do our best and play our own style. We want to be alert and be sure in what we are doing.'' However, he would not be drawn on making an all-out forecast for the match.

"We respect the Bermuda team and really can't predict what's going to happen but we are working very hard...we just want to play the right way.'' The Salvadoreans, who will reside at Elbow Beach until Monday were out seeking a practice pitch almost immediately following their check-in, emphasising the gravity of their quest.

ANIBAL RUIZ -- The Uruguayan coach of El Salvador.