There is excitement brewing as Bermuda prepare for their first match in the Concacaf Men’s Under-17 Qualifier tonight against Curaçao.

Among the squad are a number of players based in England, including Kalen Brunson, Harlem Bean-Fox and Kennahz Fray, who have made the trip home in an attempt to create history by qualifying Bermuda for a World Cup.

Brunson, 15, signed for Sky Bet Championship side Queens Park Rangers in December after a successful trial and has already made significant progress by being promoted to play for their under-21 team and train with the senior squad..

“It’s a good feeling and I have worked so hard,” Brunson told The Royal Gazette.

“Just knowing that I have accomplished the first step to becoming a pro feels good. The transition has been good and I am enjoying it. I just do what I love, so it comes easy and hopefully I can keep making an impact.

“I play with the under-21s and train with the men. It’s intense but has been a good experience meeting new people every day. They are good a team and I like my team-mates. They are good people, funny and easy to get to know.”

Brunson, who joined QPR from Beechwood School’s Elite Football Academy, is honoured to represent the island again and feels the squad is talented enough to challenge favourites Canada for top spot.

“It’s a good feeling representing your country,” he said. “Just knowing I am representing my country with the badge on my chest is a good feeling.

“I think we can get through to the World Cup, which is our goal as a team. As long as we take it step by step we can come out with the desired outcome.”

Bean-Fox and Fray both attend Brooke House school and are also confident about the young Gombey Warriors’ chances of success.

“I am happy that I can represent my country,” Bean-Fox said. “It feels good and preparations have been good so far.

“I know we can go through because of the team we have. I feel like we have a good squad and a good chance. The tournament is also in our home country so we will have more fans watching and cheering us on, so I feel like we have a pretty good chance this year.

“We had a game yesterday [Tuesday] against Dandy Town, which we won, so I feel like we really do have a good chance.”

Fray is hoping to follow in the footsteps of some of Bermuda’s past players, whom he remembers watching as a little boy.

“I think we have a great chance of making the World Cup and putting our country on the map. There’s not a doubt in my mind,” he said.

“It’s always a pleasure and honour for me to represent my country. As a little boy I watched all of the senior games and wanted to play for Bermuda, so it’s always an honour to put on the shirt and be able to do that.”

Aaron Lugo, the Bermuda Under-17 coach, is delighted to have the three players at his disposal for the upcoming tournament.

“Whilst playing overseas you can see that their level has raised and I can only attribute it to multiple games they have played against different opposition, whereas in Bermuda it’s the same teams week in week out,” he said.

“They have brought maturity, leadership and their guidance of the players definitely shows. In the practice match against Dandy Town, they showed the level that they can play at.”

Kick-off against Curaçao at the Flora Duffy Stadium is at 8pm while the tournament gets under way at 3pm with Anguilla facing Turks & Caicos Islands. Favourites Canada have a bye.