excellent draw for the British Virgin Islands, according to the man in charge of the Caribbean team.

Englishman Charlie Cook, the BVI's technical director of soccer, believed his team had every chance of progressing through the home-and-away, straight knockout tie in Caribbean Group Two.

On the face of it, Cook's opposite number Clyde Best would seem to have been justified in being `over the moon' with a draw pitting the Island against a nation with a population of 17,000 and making their World Cup debut.

But even though the BVI became affiliated to soccer's world governing body, FIFA, only three years ago, they have already progressed to the point where they are one place above Bermuda in the world rankings at 163rd.

Cook said: "Bermuda are ranked about the same as us, so that's a better draw for us than getting one of the bigger teams like St. Kitts or Antigua.

"That gives us a good chance of progress and that's what the game needs -- more exposure on the islands. A good run in the World Cup would have a big impact here.

"We have a problem with competing sports. Basketball and baseball are very popular because there is a strong American influence.'' The BVI will be making their World Cup debut against Bermuda and most of their international experience has come in matches against other Caribbean teams.

Their most impressive result this year came in a Caribbean Cup qualifying tournament in Haiti, where they thrashed Puerto Rico 5-0.

They went on to draw 0-0 with the Dominican Republic, but narrowly failed to make the finals in Trinidad after losing to hosts Haiti.

Since then, the BVI have played in the Leeward Islands Championships, where they beat Nevis, before going down 2-0 to Antigua in the semi-finals. They then lost in the third-place play-off to the US Virgin Islands, but Cook said injury problems had played a big part in that loss.

The domestic soccer season in the BVI started in September and has almost concluded, with championship play-off games scheduled for this month.

The main league consists of six teams, all of which play on the main island Tortola. The second largest island, Virgin Gorda, hosts a four-team minor league.

Before taking the BVI post in January this year, Cook had coached in England and for some professional clubs in the US.

"We have no professional players, but one or two play semi-pro in the US,'' said Cook. "But the guys we do have are a very talented team, considering the islands have a population of only 17,000.

"Like most Caribbean teams we have a few problems with personalities, but when they concentrate on playing, we have a good team.'' Cook added that his team comprised a number of promising youngsters built around a core of more experienced players, such as goalkeeper Darren Murray.

Cook sang the praises of two players in particular that Bermuda would have to watch closely.

"Avondale Williams is one of our experienced players,'' said Cook. "He's really a midfielder but we use him up front. He's tall, strong and quick and he reminds me of an English-style winger.

"Peterson Azile is another who's been playing at a high standard for a few years now. He's quick and can score goals out of nothing.''