The Bermuda Under-15 team are hoping for a strong performance in their final group game at the Concacaf Championship at the IMG Academy Complex in Bradenton, Florida, today.

Coach John Barry Nusum’s team face Cuba in their third group E match, having drawn 2-2 with Martinique in their opener on Monday and losing 1-0 to El Salvador on Tuesday.

Bermuda are presently third in the group on one point, with Cuba second on three points and El Salvador top after winning their first two games.

“This is the players’ first dip into international football and I know the speed of play is something they don’t see in Bermuda,” said Nusum, a former Bermuda captain.

“Our players need to get more experience with teams either coming to Bermuda or by going to different places to get used to the speed of play so it’s not quite a shock.”

Nusum said his team have shown continual improvement at the championship and has been impressed by their discipline and never-say-die attitude.

“In the first game [against Martinique], the first couple of minutes it was a bit of a shock to the boys and we started off on the back foot but worked our way back into that game,” Nusum said.

“It was probably a game we could have won if we had not of come out lethargic in the first half.

“Our second half was unbelievable, we had pressure on the whole time and it paid off with the two goals.

“It definitely showed how much guts and spirit the players have and to see the celebration after the second goal to tie it up was a real statement.

“I wish it had been recorded so the country could see what it meant to the players. The whole vibe was let’s make it 3-2.

“Against El Salvador we were ready and did everything right. With El Salvador being one of the better teams in the region it was always going to be tough.

“We frustrated them and stuck to our game plan but just gave away a silly penalty which was the difference. We didn’t clear our lines, a fumble around the box and a trip that was a mistake and it cost us the game.

“We keep talking to the boys about the vital moments of the game, the first and last five minutes of each half which are important periods.”

After today’s game against Cuba, Bermuda, depending where they finish in the group, will face either the second or third-place team from the other Division Two group in their final match on Saturday.

That group contains Haiti, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Curaçao.

“A big part of this tournament is developmental for countries similar to us that don’t get to play as many games at this level,” said Nusum, who has taken the reins at Premier Division side Robin Hood.

“Even the teams who finish bottom will get four matches. We’re in tier two so we’re right under those top teams like Trinidad, Jamaica, United States and Canada.

“It was always going to be tough in our group with teams like Martinique, who just came from a Gold Cup, and El Salvador who have always been tough. Cuba are going to be very similar to the game [against El Salvador].

“Again, it’s all about development and, yes, to get a result is awesome but at under-15 level you do want the kids to develop and to gain knowledge on how the game should be played.”