Dennis Brown, the Bermuda Under-20 coach, hopes to exploit his squad’s rare height advantage as they attempt to qualify for the final round of the Caribbean Football Union World Cup qualifiers.

Bermuda teams have historically had to rely on speed and skill rather than brute force and physicality, although Brown’s 20-man squad, which travelled to the Dominican Republic yesterday, appears to possess a perfect blend of all those virtues.

While it would be an exaggeration to describe Brown’s side as a “land of the giants” they do boast an unusual abundance of rangy players such as Rai Simons, who impressed greatly at Ilkeston in Derbyshire, England, last season, William White, Justin Corday and Che Brangman, who had a spell on trial with Stoke City, the Barclays Premier League club.

With no concerns of Bermuda being bullied or outmuscled by their Caribbean counterparts, as has often been the case at previous qualifying tournaments, Brown has tailored his tactics to make the most of his team’s aerial threat, particularly from wide areas and from dead-ball situations.

“This is one of the biggest Bermuda teams I have ever seen in terms of height and size,” said Brown, a formidable header of the ball as an uncompromising centre half in his heyday.

“Aside from our size, we’re also a very pacey team and, as long as we’re astute defensively, we can have a very good tournament.

“It’s going to be tough and very physical playing against the Caribbean teams. It’s going to be a war, it’s country versus country, and if our opponents go to sleep on us, they will be made to pay.”

Bermuda have been pitted against the Dominican Republic, Antigua and Guadeloupe in a tough-looking group two.

The winners of each group and the two best second-placed teams will advance to the final round to be held in Trinidad & Tobago from September 12 to 19.

Brown, however, has plenty of reasons for optimism and considers his side as one of the most talented crop of players he has seen in this age group, insisting that they have absolutely nothing to fear from their opponents.

“We have a good, talented bunch of players who are looking forward to the challenge,” said Brown, who stepped down as Devonshire Cougars coach at the end of last season.

“If we can perform to our optimum levels then we will do very well. My expectation levels are fairly high.

“This squad is one of the most talented crop I’ve seen for a long time and it’s up to [the coaches] to nurture this group to become the future Bermuda national team.”

The high temperatures expected in the Dominican Republic are Brown’s chief concern, especially with two of Bermuda’s three games being played in the peak of the afternoon.

“We have been working very hard on our fitness and it’s going to be very hot,” Brown said. “That’s the reason why we have been training on the weekends from 12 to 2 to make sure we get used to playing in these conditions.”