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All out attack

National coach Keith Tucker believes he has the perfect remedy for Bermuda's current goal scoring famine - all out attack!

Bermuda are still licking their wounds from recent back-to-back home losses against Puerto Rico and have failed to hit the target in 180 minutes of football.

But it's a sure bet the 'Gombey Warriors' will look to dance to the beat of a different drum and sharpen their claws in attack when they tackle Cayman Island in tomorrow's crucial World Cup qualifier at the National Sports Centre (NSC).

And with the menacing John Barry Nusum back in the hutch, coach Tucker doesn't feel the need to start pressing the panic button.

"Our main objective is to score some goals, no matter what defence they (Caymans) put out there," Tucker declared. "We have to attack and we intend to put our most attacking team on the field because the race is about to start."

The hosts are expected to make at least seven changes for tomorrow's clash, with veteran goalies Timmy Figureido and Dwayne (Streaker) Adams having been recalled for the big occasion.

"We practically have seven or eight different players this time around and we need those players with the style of ball we are going to be pushing," Tucker said.

Just a goal shy of equalling Shaun Goater's World Cup scoring record (ten), former Wolves striker Nusum has plenty of incentive to put the proverbial best foot forward.

During the last World Cup qualifying campaign Nusum virtually carried Bermuda's attack on his broad shoulders. And with fellow pro Khano Smith ruled out through injury and Tucker again opting for just one striker up top in a 4-5-1 formation, the demands will be no less on the Philadelphia Kixx talisman.

College kid Tyrell Burgess and Bermuda Hogges pair Damon Ming and Stephen Astwood - who are both long overdue for a big game - will also help form the nuts and bolts of Bermuda's attack roaming forward in transition from midfield.

"It's a different team and with John Barry Nusum playing up top we should be able to produce the goods," Tucker said. "The players are very confident going up against the Caymans, but we are not going to take them lightly. We are just going to put our best foot forward and hopefully attack."

Tucker is also banking on his charges to press home home field advantage.

"Being at home should give us an advantage but we have to go out there and score some goals because that's what it's all about," he added.

Others the former Howard University coach will be asking much from are midfielders Domico Coddington, Sammy Degraff, Keishan Bean and skipper Kwame Steede, who has managed to nurse himself back to full- strength from an ankle injury.

At the rear Omar Shakir and Darius Cox are expected to form Bermuda's version of the twin towers down the middle, with Kevin Richards, Antonio Lowe, Jason Davis and Marquel Waldron most likely to start at full -back.

It goes without saying that Tucker will be looking for his charges to force the Caymans on the back foot early while trying not concede any goals that could give the visitors an advantage when these two sides meet again in the Caribbean for the second leg in March.

And while Figuerido and Adams will have raised many eyebrows with their late arrivals, their impressive goalkeeping records virtually speak for themselves with the former expected to get the nod to start over his Devonshire Cougars counterpart between the 'sticks.

By today's standards Bermuda have not had the best of preparations. Yet this doesn't seem to faze Tucker in the least as he remains cautiously optimistic his team can still get the job done inspite of any shortcomings. He has also urged his fellow countrymen to play their role in the stands by rallying behind the home team.

"The 12th man has always been valuable," he said. "And we are hoping the people of Bermuda understand this and come on out to help push us through."

Meanwhile, the Caymans arrived in Bermuda last night under the stealth of darkness equally confident of their own chances of success at the NSC tomorrow.

Bermuda: Timmy Figureido, Dwayne Adams, Darius Cox, Kevin Richards, Omar Shakir, Antonio Lowe, Marquel Waldron, Jason Davis, Kwame Steede (capt), Domico Coddington, Tyrell Burgess, Sammy Degraff, Damon Ming, Keishan Bean, Reggie Lowe, Aljame Zuill, John Barry Nusum, Stephen Astwood.