El Salvador 2 Bermuda 1

Bermuda's World Cup hopes remain tantalisingly alive after a stunning display of grit and determination within the intimidating confines of the Cuscatlan Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

This might not have been the prettiest performance by an Island national team but it will surely go down as one of the bravest.

Outplayed for long periods and under pressure for all but a few fleeting moments of the 90 minutes, Kenny Thompson's men somehow managed to limit the damage to a deficit of one - a result that could yet extend their World Cup adventure into uncharted territory.

With away goals counting double in the event of a draw on aggregate, John Barry Nusum's magnificent strike on the half hour leaves Bermuda a golden opportunity to complete what would be a monumental upset over a side that have twice previously qualified for the World Cup finals.

A 1-0 victory in the return leg this Sunday would be sufficient.

As Sports Minister Dale Butler remarked afterwards: “If we can't fill the National Sports Centre for that match, we never will.”

Certainly, after this performance, Bermuda's players deserve no less.

Bombarded by wave after wave of attack as the blue and white shirts of El Salvador surged relentlessly forward, Bermuda grimly stuck to their task, frustrating their opponents with one desperate tackle after another.

And on the counter they showed glimpses of their own not inconsiderable talent, Damon Ming, Nusum and Khano Smith, in particular, all making their presence felt.

Despite the pressure, their discipline was impeccable, not a single Bermuda name finding its way into the book of Nicaraguan referee Donald Campo.

It would be difficult to single out any individual heroes as each one of the 14 players used by Thompson played their part.

Keeper Timmy Figureido, the busiest man on the pitch, couldn't be blamed for either of the El Salvador goals but was surely responsible for preventing a bunch more.

Skipper Kentoine Jennings was a rock among a back four which simply refused to buckle.

In midfield, the diminutive Ming, who seems to grow in stature with every international game he plays, caused sufficient problems to warrant much closer attention when the Central Americans return this weekend, and then there was Nusum, cruelly forced off the pitch after just 41 minutes, but whose superb equaliser which reduced a drum-beating, frenzied crowd to complete silence, might still make all the difference in this tie.

Shaun Goater, restricted by a calf strain which was noticeable from the start, played an unfamiliar role in midfield, but his presence alone spoke volumes. What a difference a fully fit Goat might have made!

Figureido was called into action twice in succession in the opening three minutes, first to cut out a looping cross and then to block a powerful shot from Ernesto Gochez.

And immediately the pattern for the rest of the game was established.For the remaining 87 minutes there was to be little respite, although in the eighth minute the complexion of the game might have changed had Goater's sizzling header from Ming's free kick not been acrobatically tipped around the post by El Salvadorean ‘keeper Santos Rivera.

It would prove to be the Reading striker's only shot on goal as the injury which had prevented him from training all week ultimately forced him off the pitch.

At the other end Figureido was constantly kept on his toes, the tricky Rudy Corrales continually using his speed to create openings.

A home goal was inevitable and it came after just 15 minutes as a cross by Gochez found the unmarked Jose Martinez whose header bounced once before nestling in the corner of the net.

That, it seemed, would open the floodgates.

But a combination of dogged defending and woefully poor finishing kept Bermuda in the game.And then the unthinkable.

From a sudden breakaway, Stanton Lewis found space on the left and before El Salvador's defence could regroup Nusum had met his inch perfect cross to head powerfully over the outstretched arms of Rivera.

The rhythmic drum-beating ceased and the sea of blue and white flag-waving fans instantly becalmed.Within minutes, Bermuda's goalscorer had pulled up lame and before half-time was replaced by Stephen Astwood.

The same fate awaited Astwood himself as he would have to make way for Ralph Bean later in the second half.

Stung by Nusum's equaliser, El Salvador immediately reasserted their authority but made no further headway before the break.

And for a few minutes after half-time, it was Bermuda's turn to press forward, Khano Smith shooting straight at the ‘keeper after finding space on the flank and Kyle Lightbourne firing weakly from a free kick on the edge of the box.

But the tide would quickly turn. Forced to tip away a fierce, angled shot from Corrales after 53 minutes, Figuerido was left helpless from the resulting corner as Gochez' cross was turned into the net by skipper Victor Valasquez.

Back in front, El Salvador continued where they left off in the first half.

Corrales twice shot wide before being inexplicably substituted, and his replacement, Jose Martinez, came agonisingly close with his first touch, a shot that beat Figuerido before whistling past the woodwork.

Much of the same followed with Bermuda's players now visibly fatigued and Thompson on the touchline screaming encouragement.

Survival became the name of the game.

And survive they did.

Now the pressure that Bermuda handled so admirably will be all El Salvador's as they return here with the huge expectation of a nation where, on the football field at least, defeat isn't an option.

Bermuda: Timmy Figureido; Kevin Richards, Shannon Burgess, Kentoine Jennings, Stanton Lewis; Ottis Steede, Damon Ming, Kyle Lightbourne, Khano Smith; John Barry Nusum (Stephen Astwood, 41 mins) Astwood (Ralph Bean 76 mins), Shaun Goater (Carlos Smith 59 mins).

Subs not used: David Thomas, Kaywon Dill, Blenn Bean

.El Salvador: Santos Rivera; Marvin Gonzalez, Victor Velasquez (captain), Erick Dowson Prado, Ramon Sanchez (Alex Erazo, 46 mins), Ernesto Gochez (Josue Galdamez, 81 mins), Rudy Corrales (Jose Martinez, 66 mins), Gilberto Murgas, Alfredo Pacheco, William Torres, Jose Martinez.

Subs not used: Edwin Carranzas, Dennis Alas, Roberto Ochoa, Miguel Martinez.

Booked: Marvin Gonzalez (58 minutes); Gilberto Murgas (61); Erick Dawson Prado (87) - all El Salvador.

Officials: Donald Campo (Nicaragua) referee; Silvio Arias (Nicaragua), Luis Aburto (Nicaragua).