Trinidadian Gus Logie yesterday put his own national pride aside to congratulate Bermuda football coach Kenny Thompson who coached the 'Gombey Warriors' to a famous 2-1 World Cup qualifying win over powerhouses Trinidad in the Caribbean last weekend.

Since his arrival on the island three years ago Logie has struck a good friendship with Thompson who coaches the ex-West Indies Test player's son Arron at the grassroots level. And as coach of Bermuda's senior national cricket team, who have experienced their own fair share of ups and downs in recent years, Logie is fully aware of the pressures which come along with the job.

"I'm very happy for Kenny Thompson and you have to be because he's been working hard and has had his fair share of criticism as every coach does," he said. "This has to be a feather in his cap and congratulations to him and all of the backroom staff and everybody involved.

"It was a collective effort and all credit to the players themselves who executed the plan that was put in place.

"Through their belief, planning and hard work they are now in a good position and they should want to go from strength to strength."

Keeping mixed emotions in check, Logie implored Thompson's men to keep their focus on the bigger picture of qualifying for the World Cup and not just the country of his birth who were represented at the 2006 World Cup Finals in Germany.

"They must understand that it's still a long journey if they want to see the big picture. It's not just about beating Trinidad but more about qualifying for the World Cup," he added.

"To beat a team that has been in the World Cup before is a great filip and gives you momentum going forward - and you should grab it.

"But the journey now starts and most people understand that Bermuda shouldn't rest on their laurels and think beating Trinidad is good enough.

"Trinidad's loss doesn't change the fact that they are a small country that made it to the World Cup, and this is something Bermuda should take to heart and strive to achieve as well."

Logie said a result such as last Sunday's unites nations and has a positive influence in the community.

"A result like this brings people together and everybody is elated about it. Success in sports can galvanise a nation and I think this is something we must understand . . .. that sports has the potential to influence society in a positive way in terms of providing another viable option for young people to excel in society," he added.

As an employee of Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) and a Triny by birth, one couldn't help but ask the former Windies star which team he will be backing come Sunday at the National Sports Centre (NSC).

"Bermuda wear red, blue and white while Trinidad wear red, white and black and so I think I'm going to have to wear a mixture of clothing; a little bit of this and that," he smiled.

"But at the end of the day hopefully we see a clean football game and may the better team win."