Director of Coaching Clyde Best isn't getting excited about Bermuda's recent success in the Under-17 World Cup qualifier against St. Vincent, realising there's still much work to be done ahead of next month's trip to Trinidad.

With home advantage, Bermuda beat St. Vincent 1-0 in each match last week to advance 2-0 on aggregate and earn a spot in the next qualifying round. That will take place in Trinidad where they will join three teams -- hosts Trinidad, the winners of the Barbados-Haiti tie and one team from a group which includes Aruba and Netherlands Antilles.

That round robin competition will take place in early December with the group winners advancing to the Under-17 World Cup in Egypt next year. Best knows the task will only get that much tougher the closer they get to the World Cup proper.

"It was great to get the result, but I'm still waiting to see them play like I know they can play,'' said Best. "When they do that, that's when the happiness is going to come from me.'' The youngsters showed tremendous character to absorb St. Vincent pressure in the first half of the second match of last week's tie, winning the game with a goal early in the second half from Earl Furbert.

The two matches were played in front of disappointing crowds at Somerset as both Bermuda and St. Vincent put some of their best young talent on display.

"I believe we have to learn to entertain and once we entertain the crowds will come out to watch, that's what soccer is all about,'' said Best.

`We can do better' -- Best From Page 23 "You can't complain about the result because results are what it's all about and at the end of the day you are judged by your results, so I do understand that.

"But I know they can play better because I've seen them play better against First Division teams here. I just want them to be confident on the ball and know when to knock the ball off.'' Trinidad are one of the top countries in the Caribbean and on home soil they should be favourites to win the group. As shown by St. Vincent, who Trinidad recently beat 2-0, there is some exciting footballing talent in the region.

"You can't fault a lot of those countries because the kids are `hungry' and that's what we have to become,'' Best added. "People here have to understand that.'' As Bermuda's most successful football export, Best knows what is required to succeed at the top level.

"Sometimes you can't play the way you want to play but you have to roll your sleeves up and battle,'' he said. "If you don't battle in soccer, regardless of how much skill you've got, you are not going to get anything from it.

"They (St. Vincent) worked very hard, but overall I think it was the right result because of the chances we had on both occasions. If we had taken our chances we would have beaten them very handsomely.'' After a short break this week, the team's preparation will resume for the Trinidad trip. And Best is convinced Bermuda can compete against the likes of Trinidad.

"You will expect them to come at you a bit more, we are going to be away from home, but we have to be able to soak up the pressure and work hard,'' he said.

"I just found out that they (Trinidad) recently beat St. Vincent 2-0 themselves. Regardless what country we play, we can't go in thinking that they are better than us.'' Coach of the under-17s Mark Trott gave credit to the BFA coaching staff for the team's success against St. Vincent.

"I want to thank Mr Best, Robert Calderon, Gary Darrell, who came in and helped out at times and Dennis Brown who was there originally and who I'm looking to have back involved, and Scott Morton, my assistant at Dandy Town, who was helping out,'' said Trott.

"You can see this was a true national coaching staff effort and a true community effort. The parents' support has been there all year.'' KEEPING UP WITH THE JONES' -- Russell Coutts (right) chases fellow Kiwi Murray Jones during Sunday's final of the Gold Cup match racing championship in Hamilton Harbour. Coutts came out on top in the 50th anniversary event, clinching his fifth title with a 3-1 victory in the best-of-five final.