from home and abroad ringing in their ears.

Kenny Thompson's squad faces the might of Jamaica at the National Sports Centre at Prospect (9 p.m.) for a place in the next round of the Under-17 World Cup qualifying tournament.

The talented youngsters have already seen off Barbados 3-0 and the Netherlands Antilles 4-0 and are in pole position at the top of the group.

Having scored one more goal than their Reggae Boyz rivals they only need to draw tonight to secure qualification for the next phase in St. Louis, USA.

Manchester City striker, Shaun Goater, took time out from preparing for his team's FA Cup clash with Liverpool on Sunday to wish the boys well.

"They believe they can go through and I'm quite sure they can,'' he said from his home in Manchester. "Belief is a big thing. If they have the belief and the togetherness it's quite possible they can keep progressing.'' Goater said a victory would not only be a boost to the players but for the Island as a whole.

"The win can do so much for Bermuda football because we have sort of stagnated and stood still. I think if the public and sponsors get behind the game of football it can improve and who knows where it can go,'' he said.

"Time and time again we hear about negative things that are happening in football so it's good to hear about the good things and let's hope they put Bermuda on the map.'' Goater said he believed the team had a first class coach behind them in Kenny Thompson -- a man whom he had played against before hitting the big time in England.

"He has definitely got them going the right way and I urge everyone in Bermuda to get behind the team,'' he said.

Clyde Best, the most successful soccer player the Island has produced, added his best wishes to the team.

"When Bermuda teams do well, it's great for the country,'' said Best, who was himself 17 when he joined the club where he made his name, West Ham United.

"People get out and support the team and that's what football's all about.'' During his stint as Bermuda Football Association's technical director, Best picked coach Thompson to work with youngsters and he complimented him on his work.

"Kenny has got them playing some nice football, there's no doubt about that.

He's done an excellent job with them,'' he said.

Premier, Jennifer Smith, said she was hoping to be at the game tonight.

"I was most impressed at the sizable support shown by Bermuda to this national effort,'' she said.

"I was very pleased at the mature manner in which our Under-17s conducted themselves and I am obviously delighted at their standing to date.

"I trust that we will continue to believe in, and support, our young people.'' Police meanwhile have said they will be maintaining a high profile presence at the stadium tonight following claims of cannabis smoking among fans.

A Police spokeswoman said one person was arrested on Wednesday night on suspicion of possession of a controlled drug.

"Police Commissioner Designate Johnathan Smith has spoken with Bermuda Football Association President Neville Tyrrell and has received unequivocal support for a heightened Police presence at Friday's game,'' the spokeswoman said.

"Mr. Smith, noting that the game will attract families, carries international prominence as a World Cup Qualifier and is being played at Bermuda's National Centre, said uniformed officers will be patrolling throughout the grounds to ensure an atmosphere conducive to the games and community enjoyment.'' Fans are also being advised to park their vehicles in officially designated areas. Traffic Enforcement Units will also be monitoring the Frog Lane, Devonshire area to aid traffic flow and prevent obstructions. Parking and other traffic violations will be ticketed.