The Island's national team have received a ringing endorsement from Bermuda Football Association president Larry Mussenden on the eve of tomorrow's FIFA World Cup first round qualifying match against Montserrat at National Sports Centre.

The local soccer chief commended all of the players whom he said had "embraced the association's concepts and heeded the call to national team duty" over the past several months.

"I would like to commend all the players who have trained with the senior national squad at one time or another because through their efforts they have made the selected squad better ? no one's commitment has been overlooked.

"And I wish the team all the best on Sunday and look forward to celebrating with them throughout the entire period," said Mussenden.

"I have been to numerous training sessions over the past few months in which (coach) Kenny (Thompson) has had the team involved. I have seen the team come together and try out different formations and different tactics and work towards the best solutions.

"And the players have given of themselves to the highest degree. These are players who have family and club commitments who recognise that deep down in every football soul there is a desire to play for their national team."

The BFA president ? poised to celebrate a first World Cup qualifying campaign under his leadership ? strongly urged his fellow countrymen to rally behind the national team.

"There's nothing like senior national football to inspire the country," he said. "It is definitely a feel good factor and we know that when Bermuda win at the senior national level, the whole country feels good. And so we take to our World Cup campaign carrying the aspirations of every member of the local football family.

"I think this is going to be a very good opportunity for the Bermuda family of football to get involved and support our team and it is vital to have a senior national team in place so that everybody else in the country at the younger levels can have a beacon to follow and aspire to.

"This is something we want all Bermudians to share. Our national sport belongs to each and every person in this country and so we need the support and would like to see everyone come out and pack that stadium."

Mussenden, flanked by several local officials, was on hand at Bermuda Airport on Thursday night to greet Montserrat's national team upon arrival.

"It is such an honour for us to play Montserrat. They have come through some very trying times in which their country has been devastated. But they are also in the FIFA family of football and I think it is the greatest honour for Bermuda to be able to host Montserrat," said Mussenden.

"Again, I encourage all people to come out and show their support for the Bermuda team and also honour Montserrat. Despite what their country has been through, they have still found a way to enter the World Cup and be here in Bermuda for the start of their World Cup campaign.

"This is something the BFA have worked very hard on and our aim is to become one of the best teams in the Caribbean. And we can do it with the right amount of Government support, corporate support and support from our football family.

"Some people say we do not have any national pride, but I know we do and it will be displayed to its fullest on Sunday."