Bermuda to face Trinidad in World Cup qualifiers
Bermuda have been drawn in the same 2014 World Cup qualifying group as Guyana, Barbados and Caribbean powerhouse Trinidad.Despite avoiding tricky second seeds Guatemala and Suriname, it will still be a tough task for Bermuda to advance to the next round with only the top team of each group qualifying.However, they can draw strength and confidence from their memorable victory in Trinidad during the 2010 World Cup qualifiers three years ago.Kenny Thompson's side pulled off a shock 2-1 win against the Soca Warriors thanks to a John Barry Nusum brace, before losing the return leg 2-0 at the National Sports Centre.Of the four teams, the Gombey Warriors are the lowest in Fifa's world rankings in 185th place, although they will be more than optimistic of punching above their weight against Barbados and Guyana. Trinidad are 88th in the rankings, while Guyana are 114 and Barbados 145.That all three of those nations were recently at the centre of a Fifa corruption investigation, having been threatened with life bans unless they explained their part in a meeting where ex-presidential candidate Mohamed bin Hammam allegedly offered votes for cash, could work to Bermuda's advantage.Trinidad, Guyana and Barbados were among 15 Caribbean nations who had until last Thursday to provide their “truthful and complete” versions of events.Bermuda Football Association were one of the whistleblowers that helped lift the lid on the worst corruption scandal to blight the sport's governing body.The World Cup preliminary draw was held in Rio de Janeiro yesterday, with Bermuda placed in Group B of the North, Central America and Caribbean region.Matches are to be played between September 2 and November 15.