As Bermuda prepare to face host nation Trinidad & Tobago in their opening match of the Concacaf Women's Under-20 Qualifier tonight (7pm), coach Aaron Denkins has identified beating group favourites Canada as the key to success.

While Trinidad might not pose a bigger threat to Denkins side, their second match in group E against Canada on Sunday afternoon should be a huge challenge. Bermuda’s last assignment in the group is against Dominica on Tuesday.

Bermuda has a chance to be one of the six teams to advance to the championship, where they will be joined by the United States and Mexico, the two top-ranked Concacaf member associations in this age group.

It is at this tournament where four teams from the region will secure qualification for the 2026 Fifa Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.

“As the island would have seen, there are different levels in football hierarchy with Canada being top-tier,” Denkins said.

“All chances of qualifying hinge on a positive result against them. First, we play the host country in their stadium with their fans, so there are no easy games.

“The mood in the camp is cautiously optimistic, the team and staff are ready for the challenge. We arrived in Trinidad on Wednesday, we had our first session in the heat, which was as expected.

“The players are hydrating consistently and being taken care of by Julesa Robinson from Apex Physio.”

Before proceeding to Trinidad, Bermuda had a training camp in Florida, where they played against Montverde Academy.

“Our pre-tour camp hosted by Montverde Academy was good and the players got a real sense of our identity as a team,” the coach said.

“We only played one match and we were able to use different formations, tactics and players. So we got what we needed from the match.”

Katherine Bean-Rosario, who scored 14 goals for the Monroe University Mustangs leading to her being named in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division I Women's Soccer All-American Third Team, is expected to provide great leadership together with co-captain Christia Lugo-Elibox.

Other key members of the squad are goalkeeper Taya Rodrigues, Robin-Valana Pearman and Breanna DeSilva Madeiros. Kaylee Murray, a former Bahamas player, was picked after switching to Bermuda.

Rodrigues is part of the group heading to Mexico for the Concacaf Women's Championship, the final qualifier for the Fifa Under-17 Women's World Cup. Jayla Peets-Butterfield, Saony Trott, Avani Patton, Ja’Shay Trott, and Keyandae Lightbourne are the other members of the under-17 age group in Trinidad.

“The under-17 players are definitely a boost to have with us,” Denkins added.

“They add confidence to the group who are being led by experienced college players.”