technical director of soccer by the end of the month.

David Sabir, general secretary of the Bermuda Football Association, yesterday confirmed that the position vacated by the sacking of Burkhard Ziese two years ago would be filled shortly -- but was unwilling to say that Best would be the choice.

"The position of Technical Director of Coaching will be filled by the end of the month, only then will it be revealed who it will be,'' said Sabir.

But it's no secret that Best is heavily favoured for the post; in fact sources indicate that nobody else has even been approached about the position.

Best was yesterday refusing to comment on the matter, preferring to concentrate on the immediate task of preparing the senior national team for their two-game tour of St. Maarten next week.

The team, which has just resumed serious training since returning from the Shell/Umbro Cup in Jamaica at the end of February, will play both friendlies against the St. Maarten national squad on the French side of that Caribbean island.

Bermuda's 18-player squad leaves on April 16 and returns on April 21.

"It's a great opportunity for us,'' said Best. "The more games we play the better. If we intend to play in the big arena of international soccer we have to be ready for situations like this, take advantage of things that develop on the spur of the moment.'' Bermuda's opportunity to travel so soon after Jamaica has been paved by corporate sponsorships recently made to assist the BFA in their six-year international plan.

The BFA are working on additional international matches, with several teams from the Major Soccer League interested in touring the island this summer.

The countdown to the Bermuda International Youth Soccer Tournament in July kicks-off on Saturday with a number of prospective squad members assemble for a try-out camp.

The BFA this week announced a large list of prospects from which a squad will be selected. All members are asked to report to Bernard Park at 9 a.m. with their full playing gear.

Coaches or high school teachers who feel a player not named is capable of being selected should send him to the venue as well. Players will only be eligible for selection if their 15th birthday came after January 1, 1997.

National youth try-out squad: Damon Cann, Shannon Raynor, Kiman Simmons, David Trott, Justin Lambert, Steven Botelho, Kingsley Mundy, Jaron Trott, Dejean Cobbs, Conniko Trott, Gregory Johnson, Raymond Beach, Shakai Minors, Gary Adams, Santoi Darrell, Ryan Roberts, Tyrik Jennings, Teddy Terceira, Trenton Tankard, Regino Gomes, Jessie Mills, Darrin Hardy, Kamen Tucker, Kevin Robinson, Jamar Dill, Kyle Jones, Kyhon Smith, Edwin Dill, Quincy Doers, Jabri Lewis, Travis Tucker, Jared Peninston, Damon Mallory, Kyle Rogers, Tafari Mallory, Alex Kirkland, Nadir Wade, Nasir Wade, Dennis Russell, Colereidge Hayward, Quinton Jones, Thaquib Talbot, Robin Massey, Zane Henderickson, Marlon Dill, David Matthews, Shay Goins, Jahi Samuels, Antoine Minors, Ryan Nisbett, Karl Parfitt, Jabri Fubert, Paul Fox, Jim West, Servio Cox