right to be wearing a smile this week.

After all, it's hard to imagine how Bermuda could have been treated more kindly when the names were pulled out of the hat at Tuesday's much-anticipated World Cup 2002 draw in Tokyo.

A convoluted qualifying system for teams in the CONCACAF area makes it difficult to speculate which three countries might eventually take their place among the 32 finalists in Japan and South Korea two and a half years from now.

But Bermuda's first challenge in the campaign -- a home and away tie against British Virgin Islands (currently listed at 163rd in the FIFA world rankings) -- shouldn't frighten anyone.

And, providing we emerge unscathed from that match, a second preliminary round game against Antigua (149th) or Guyana (171st) should also be negotiated safely.

Coaches are fond of the phrase: "No international matches can be taken lightly.'' And, of course, they're absolutely right.

But if we're to take ourselves seriously as a footballing nation -- and with professionals playing on both sides of the Atlantic we should -- then these are simply must-win games.

At present, due mainly to a severe shortage of international competition in recent years, Bermuda are currently ranked by FIFA just one place below BVI in 164th place. And Best and his assistants will need to do their homework on they and other potential opponents over the next few months.

But as Best said on hearing the draw, and English-based pros Shawn Goater and Kyle Lightbourne reiterated in yesterday's Gazette , there's no reason why Bermuda can't advance further in the 2002 qualifying series than in any previous World Cup.

A place in the so-called Super 12 -- the penultimate CONCACAF qualifying phase from which six teams will advance into the final group from where three will then book their tickets to the finals, is certainly within Bermuda's grasp.

Of the eight teams in Bermuda's Caribbean Zone, group two, the highest ranked are St. Vincent at 140.

That's not to say Bermuda shouldn't respect their early opposition. But neither should they lack confidence.

Preparation, as always, will be the key. And sadly, that's an area where often in the past our international aspirations have come undone.

As Best has been saying all along, overseas tours to countries such as Germany, Holland or England, where the standard is so much higher than anywhere in the CONCACAF region, is an absolute must.

Yet in order to organise and finance such trips, the country will need to pull together -- much like Jamaica did as it propelled their national team to France '98.

Both Government and the corporate sector need to get involved, and a financial plan put into place which will allow the squad to travel, compensating those amateurs who will need to spend time away from work.

Just as importantly, the players themselves and their clubs will need to play their part.

Any more drug scandals such as those which have tainted the domestic game in recent years, and we can quickly kiss our hopes goodbye.

A successful World Cup run, as Jamaica proved, can work wonders for the entire population, particularly on a small island. But to make it work, it's going to take a community effort.

-- ADRIAN ROBSON