BERMUDA soccer was badly in need of a shot in the arm and last week it was treated to a healthy dose of the feel-good factor.

The downward spiral of dwindling crowds, ever-decreasing standards of play and behaviour and the ugly encroachment of illicit drugs was forgotten for a week as a bunch of dedicated teenagers gave all of us on this Island who love `the beautiful game' hope for a brighter future.

And although coach Kenny Thompson and his talented youngsters fell just short of making the next phase of the Under-17 World Cup qualifiers, it could be argued they achieved something much greater.

With their high quality of play, nurtured through the dedication of many months of hard work, they gave the people of Bermuda a reason to rekindle their passion for soccer.

Thousands turned out at the National Stadium and it was wonderful to see a crowd more concerned with supporting their team than hurling abuse at individual players, coaches or match officials.

The pride these young players felt in representing their country was reflected by their courageous performance against formidable opponents Jamaica in the final match last Friday.

And despite the 4-2 defeat, we should remind ourselves that Jamaica is a soccer-loving nation with a population more than 40 times that of Bermuda -- and our youngsters came within 11 minutes of a draw which would have eliminated the junior Reggae Boyz.

Viewed in perspective, it was a magnificent effort.

Bermuda Football Association general secretary David Sabir said before the tournament he hoped it would provide a taste of what football would be like in future.

Let us hope it turns out that way. But to make it happen, everyone in soccer will need to pull together and show a similar level of dedication to that evident among the under-17s and their coaches, Thompson and Scott Morton.

Steps must be taken to give this young team the opportunity of sticking together -- and for the national programme to be extended to create a larger pool of talented players at junior level rather than concentrating on one relatively small squad.

There are capable coaches out there, ready and willing to make it happen and other talented young players who must have been inspired to emulate last week's heroes. And hopefully, businesses will have been impressed enough by this tournament to be a little more forthcoming with their financial support for soccer. For now, thanks should go to the Ace Group, the Bank of Bermuda, Shell, the Fairmont Hamilton Princess and the Stonington Beach Hotel, as well as organisers the BFA, for helping to make last week such a success.

Just over two years ago, Bermuda boasted an under-17 team which thrashed Trinidad 3-0, in Trinidad, in the Youth World Cup qualifiers -- a sensational result. There was much talk of keeping that team together, but talk turned out to be all it was.

Hopefully, the same mistake will not be made twice.

-- JONATHAN KENT Right, the boys to entertain you: Bermuda's under-17 squad line up before the crunch match with Jamaica on Friday. On the back row (far left) is coach Kenny Thompson, standing by his assistant Scott Morton.

Above: Packed to capacity with flags and smiles everywhere -- a typical scene from the National Stadium last week.

Below: ... and even Premier Jennifer Smith appears to have caught football fever.

Above: Jamaica goalkeeper Richard McCallum punches away a dangerous corner under pressure from Bermuda's aerial raiders.

Below: Domico Coddington, one of Bermuda's most impressive performers throughout the five-day tournament, is tackled by a big Jamaican defender.

Left: Bermuda's Curt Stovell sends Jamaica goalkeeper Richard McCallum the wrong way to level the scores at 1-1. A draw would have been enough to send the home team to the next phase of Under-17 World Cup qualifying, but Jamaica scored three times in the last 11 minutes to win 4-2 and eliminate Thompson's teens. The goal was one of 10 Bermuda scored in three games.