Antigua's football team into a World Cup qualifier by the year 2006.

But like Bermuda's administrators, he is finding one of the biggest challenges to be insufficient support from Government and the corporate sector.

Vranes, a former coach at Red Star Belgrade who spent two years as technical director of football in Trinidad and Tobago, now holds that same position in Antigua where he is 15 months into a four-year contract.

"They have plans to develop football generally but have very bad facilities,'' said Vrones yesterday during the Antigua team's two-match tour of Bermuda.

Antigua lost their opening match to Bermuda 1-0 on Tuesday night at Somerset and will try to salvage something from the tour tonight at Devonshire Rec.

(8.00) when they meet Bermuda again.

The countries have similiar aspirations, to prepare for this year's Shell Cup and, in the long run, make another attempt at qualifying for the World Cup.

"Our plan is the 2006 World Cup but we need time,'' Vranes stated. "I am always complaining about the support of the general public, private business and government, generally. Football today is not only a game but a big business. I never understood why we don't care enough about football in Antigua.'' Antigua reached the semi-finals of the Shell Cup last year where they lost to Jamaica 1-0 on a goal late in extra time. That is giving Vranes plenty to build on.

"I'm generally satisfied, last year we had some of our best performances and we really played good,'' said the technical director.

"We moved up in the world rankings about 30 places so that's a big step up.

We beat countries we had never beaten before, for example Martinique.'' Antigua are without about five key members of their team, but Vranes insists that is not an excuse for their loss on Tuesday night. He also mentioned that the players were not comfortable in the cool conditions, but is also quick to admit he was surprised with the quality of Bermuda's football.

"We started good but we had problems with fitness and the weather is different than down there,'' said Vranes.

"Generally I was not satisfied with my team's performance. Tomorrow we will try to give them a stronger team but I have big problems with three guys who may not play because of injuries.

"I'm nicely surprised with Bermuda, I didn't expect such good play from them.

They are a very fast and very strong team and they play like the modern teams.

They used every opportunity to get at us as fast as possible and did well.

"Maybe the goal against us was very easy and a mistake from our 'keeper who generally played good.'' End-of-year rankings issued by FIFA in December show Antigua ranked 137th in the world while Bermuda have slipped to 185th, largely through inactivity over the last few years. Antigua have three 17 or 18-year-olds in their squad, a move Vranes sees as important as the team prepares for 2006.

Bermuda, too, are rebuilding and preparing for Shell Cup qualification. They have also not been afraid to throw in the youngsters.

After Tuesday's win, head coach Robert Calderon disclosed there could be three or four changes to the team for tonight's match as more players are given the exposure at senior level. This tour and the one later this month against the Norway under-21 team is being used to re-establish the senior programme.

Tonight at 6.00 will be a schools final between CedarBridge and Berkeley or Warwick Academy.