after yielding to the wishes of Antigua.

The national squad travels to the Caribbean island to play the first leg on June 14 and hope to clinch a place in the round-robin second round when the second leg is played here on July 4.

Bermuda manager Gary Darrell had confirmed after the win over Haiti in the last tie that he would prefer to play the first match against Antigua at home, as per the draw, which was made in New York on December 9. But at an emergency meeting with Bermuda Football Association executives on Saturday, Darrell agreed to the Antigua Football Association's request to stage the first match there.

"Bermuda has relinquished the right to host the first game at home under the instruction of the coach,'' said BFA administrative assistant Joe L. Brown yesterday.

The Antigua FA had requested that they stage the first match because their stadium, the Antigua Recreation Ground where they also play Test matches, will be closing between June 15 and August 4 for their Summer Carnival. FIFA had ordered the two countries to have the two matches played between June 15 and July 31.

Brown added: "From the association's point of view we got correspondence from the Antigua Football Association and Senator Bernard S. Percival, who is the Minister of Education, Culture and Youth Affairs, asking that the game be played in Antigua any time between June 12 and 14 due to the fact that the stadium is to be turned over to the carnival committee from June 15 to August 4 for the summer festival.

"During that time a stage and temporary building will be erected on the ground, thus making it impossible to play the game after June 15.'' The short notice for the away match has left the BFA insufficient time to charter a plane, something which had been considered after a number of enquiries had been made to the association by fans wishing to travel to support the team. "Less than 14 days is not enough time to charter a plane,'' Brown stated.

Bermuda depart for Antigua on June 12, arriving at 2.25 p.m., and return home on June 15 at 7.15 p.m.

Bermuda last met Antigua two years ago, drawing 2-2 in the Shell Caribbean Cup and then winning 3-0 in a friendly a couple of days later. Both matches were at the National Stadium.