Bermuda's Under-17 national soccer coach Kenny Thompson believes that with the right balance and the right chemistry his team are capable of beating Cuba in their two-leg World Cup qualifying tie.

Speaking days before the Island's youngsters take another step along the road leading to next year's Youth Finals in Finland - the first leg match is at National Sports Centre this Saturday night - Thompson yesterday laid out his team's blueprint for success while again stressing the importance of home field advantage in the first match.

"It's very important that we take full advantage of playing at home. It is a good thing for us to play at home first," insisted Thompson.

"We won't have go to Cuba and get surprised by either their culture, food or even perhaps the surroundings which may cause us to under-perform and come back and have to face a large deficit.

"So we're pleased in that regard to be playing at home first and this is what I have been stressing to the players because it's very important that we find the right balance between going for a win here at home and not giving away much in preparation for the return."

Though Thompson admitted yesterday that he hadn't received much information on Bermuda's opponents, he said he fully anticipated a tough match based on the Caribbean island's previous record.

"We expect Cuba to be a good team. Technically the players are more than likely of a high standard and certainly will possess good mental strength," he pointed out. "But specifically we don't know too much about the Cubans so therefore we will have to wait until they come here and maybe we can observe and perhaps gain a bit of insight on them during their training sessions."

The Cuban squad are expected to arrive on the Island tomorrow.

Thompson suggested that Bermuda's opponents may have a point to prove.

"Some of the reports that I have been given over the years on the way of life in Cuba suggests that things are not easy," added the coach. "Therefore, we can expect that this will be a great opportunity for their players. It will not be just a football opportunity for the Cuban players but also an opportunity for an improved way of life and they will take whatever opportunity that's presented to them."

During the World Cup qualifying tournament held at National Sports Centre last month, Bermuda advanced after holding pre-tournament favourites Trinidad & Tobago to a nailbiting 1-1 draw. And although Bermuda's forwards created a plethora of chances to score during the four-team qualifying competition, Thompson's charges repeatedly failed to capitalise. This in turn has prompted a stern warning from the coach.

"A lot of what goes into scoring goals is an attitude and this has been stressed to these players and even previous players who I have come into contact with," said Thompson.

"The thing that always comes up is our tendency to be wasteful in that if the chance comes along it's wasted and there's a way of thinking that `I don't have to take full advantage of this one because I will wait for the next one to come along.' I think that this has partly to do with our affluence as a society that we are not for want of much which has an impact on our players' approach to football and in this case goalscoring opportunities.

"And this is the mental strength that I mentioned with regards to the Cubans. It has as much to do with football technical matters as it does our way of life in the culture of having way too much that comes way too easy."

Bermuda received comforting news yesterday that prominent defender Logan Alexander had now fully recovered from a shoulder injury. Skipper Kyle Outerbridge also appears to be healthy after suiting up for Devonshire Colts on Sunday.

Strike ace Damon Swan should also be ready to resume action. Swan hasn't seen much play lately as Somerset Trojans' coach Mark Trott opted not to risk injuring his promising youngster, aware that he's expected to play a key role in Bermuda's bid to advance to the next phase of World Cup qualifying.

Thompson stressed the importance of finding the right balance.

"We must find the right balance between attacking and creating chances and taking those chances but at the same time not overextending ourselves where we can be exploited in defence. So the strategy is certainly to find the right balance."

FA Cup First round action continues tonight at both Devonshire Rec. and BAA Field.

At Devonshire Rec., Pest Control and Paget will square off in the opening fixture of a double-header beginning at 7 p.m. while Devonshire Cougars and Young Men's Social Club will lock horns at 9 p.m.

Meanwhile, Dandy Town and Boulevard will pick up where they left off on Sunday at BAA Field. The two teams remained deadlocked at one apiece after battling for 120 minutes. The replay kicks off at 9 p.m.