nothing to the make-up of the third round.

With what we have seen of El Salvador at home, Jamaica do not stand a chance of escaping with a victory, and anything less will allow Canada to advance.

So what are we left with at National Stadium come 4 p.m. on Sunday? A huge salvaging mission.

Salvaging pride, salvaging some semblance of the defensive prowess that was prominent in the previous four World Cup matches at home when only two goals were conceded -- one being a cruel deflection.

Goalkeeper Dwayne Adams deserves to have the men in front of him go out with dignity. They have been a maligned and more recently injury-riddled bunch.

Dennis Brown becomes the latest casualty to the defence, following Leroy Stevens and Neil Paynter, who has played through his problems.

The loss of Stevens, the Island's best marking centre-half, was crucial in the 4-2 loss in Vancouver last month as Alex Bunbury was unmarked on each of his three goals that left Bermuda three down at the half.

It was thought that Hereford United professional Kentoine Jennings could do the job in Stevens' absence but he could not.

There is no telling what formula coach Gary Darrell will turn to to contain Bunbury, who is on contract with England's West Ham United. Jennings appears to be the best option with Paynter returning to the sweeper's position, vacated by Brown.

If not Paynter, Darrell could decide to stick with beleaguered Shawn Smith. He may return him to the heart of the defence and allow the Dandy Town player to play in midfield along with David Bascome and Paul Cann, who looks set for a recall.

Bascome will be keen to impress in his first World Cup appearance at home.

Maybe he should have been in there all along. It was a difficult choice for Darrell and in fairness he could not foresee the difficulties Cann would have at this level.

Nor could the BFA foresee that Voorhees Astwood would fall apart when he had to deal with wave after wave of attacks. Perhaps a little more support from the left side of midfield could have done the trick, but that too has been a weak spot in this second round.

Bermuda have done well in front of goal, which is not accustomary. Shawn Goater leads all CONCACAF Zone marksmen with eight strikes, which will go some ways to easing his mind as he returns to Rotherham and tries to regain the number 10 shirt.

He and the other professionals deserve praise for sticking it out for this last match and hopefully the Bermuda supporters can make it worth their while by showing their appreciation.

This is also another opportunity to praise Bermuda's supporters. The sponsors have been great, from the major players Bank of Bermuda down to the man in the street who pledged $5 during the telethon.

It has been a community effort that has made this possible.

No one likes criticism but it will always be there, it is needed.

Throughout this campaign, constructive criticism and second-guessing has been construed as unpatriotic.

The media, if we do our jobs, will always be searching for answers. Team selection and player performance will always be scrutinised.

That way, no coach nor player can feel too over-confident in their positions.

Because this is not a propaganda sports section, we glorify with nary a pat on the back expected and we crucify with no remorse -- in no particular order.

The Bermuda national soccer team and their coach have been through the spectrum of our examination.

We now expect them to step forward and be counted in this final match, to send Canada into the third round with a message that Bermuda are for real.