Cayman Islands' technical director Carl Brown has cranked up the pressure on Digicel Caribbean Cup rivals Bermuda, declaring: "You're expected to win the group."

The former Reggae Boyz coach believes Bermuda's astonishing away victory over Trinidad in their recent World Cup qualifiers has left the rest of the region wary of Kenny Thompson's side.

"On paper Bermuda have to be the favourites to win the group," said Brown who won more than 60 caps for Jamaica during the 1970s and early '80s.

"The FIFA rankings suggest they are the best in our group and so on paper, at least, they should have the edge over the other teams.

"Beating Trinidad certainly made the rest of us sit up and take notice of them."

Brown's side almost pulled off a shock of their own when they faced the Gombey Warriors in the first round of the World Cup qualifiers in March.

They earned an impressive 1-1 draw at the National Sport Centre before losing the return match 3-1 in front of a packed Truman Bodden Stadium.

It could have been a different story, though, had Cayman's shot-shy strikers not wasted a glut of guilt edge first-half chances.

"Scoring is a massive problem for us," admitted Brown who formerly worked under Sam Allardyce at Premier League club Bolton Wanderers.

"We didn't put away our chances against Bermuda and paid the penalty. But we showed them that at home we can be a difficult side and we will once again be in attacking mode when we play them."

Cayman, who host this week's competition, have not kicked a ball in anger since they last faced Bermuda and Brown admitted that he was concerned about his team's preparations.

But while "ring-rust" is a genuine concern for Brown, at least his some of fears have been eased with the availability of Tuda Murphy ¿ Cayman's only overseas-based player.

"Tuda's a big player for us," said Brown of his goalkeeper who plays for Irish Premier Division outfit Glenavon FC.

"He gives everyone confidence. We go into the competition with some ring-rust as we haven't been able to organise any preparation matches.

"However, we'll be giving it our best shot and we aim to qualify from this group."

Cayman Islands' Digicel Cup

schedule

Tomorrow

Cayman Islands v St.Martin

Friday

Cayman Islands v Bermuda

Sunday

Cayman Islands v Antigua and Barbuda

FIFA's World Rankings

Bermuda 119

Antigua and Barbuda 132

Cayman Islands 187

St.Martin ¿ not ranked