Dakai Grant, the Bermuda Under-20 captain, has urged his team-mates to draw inspiration from Costa Rica, the World Cup’s “surprise package”, as they aim to qualify for the final round of the Caribbean qualifiers.

Costa Rica had virtually been written off before Brasil 2014 but have taken the tournament by storm after defeating Uruguay and Italy to upset the natural order and qualify for the knockout stage.

Grant believes that the heart-warming performances of fellow Concacaf teams such as the Costa Ricans and Honduras has proved that smaller nations can punch above their weight on the world stage.

“At the World Cup we’ve seen teams like Costa Rica beat teams that we didn’t expect them to,” said the 19-year-old.

“It’s definitely been surprising and it just shows that anything is possible.”

Just as surprising for Grant as the unforeseen success of Costa Rica was being bestowed with the captain’s armband by Dennis Brown, the under-20 coach.

By his own admission, Grant is the “quiet man” of the Bermuda dressing room, concise at best with his words, although when the North Village player does talk, according to Brown, his team-mates tend to listen.

“I was actually surprised that I was chosen as captain by the coach,” Grant said. “He told the team that ‘Dakai doesn’t usually say too much but when he does people respond to his command’.

“He also said we needed someone calm under pressure and I think I can be that guy. Hopefully, I can go down [to the Dominican Republic] and lead the team to victory.”

Grant, a defensive-minded midfielder, believes that it is crucial for the team to marry mental toughness to their undoubted talent to advance from their group.

“This is a very talented group of players,” said Grant, who attends the University of Mobile in Alabama.

“Many of our players have gained overseas experience in England, with many others away at school in the United States.

“If we are mentally prepared and go down there not thinking about the heat, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be successful.”