through a tough-looking first phase of qualifying for next year's Olympics, according to the Island's technical director of soccer Clyde Best.

And with that in mind, Best announced plans for a tour of Florida next month.

Panama and Cuba will provide the opposition in a three-nation tournament to be staged in Panama next March. Bermuda will play the hosts on March 8 and Cuba on March 10.

If Bermuda finish top of the trio, they will then face a final qualifying tournament in the United States, running from April 21-30, for the right to go to Sydney.

Many of Bermuda's likely squad are studying in America and Best said the team's chances would depend heavily on getting them together to train beforehand.

College students in the squad include John Barry Nusum, Joey Rego, Kofi Dill, Sullivan Phillips, Blenn Bean, Damon Ming, Nigel Burgess and Jay Smith.

"Preparation has to be the key and how many times we can get players from school to work together,'' said Best. "We are lagging behind lots of countries we play against because of lack of preparation.

"We are hoping to go away in December and we are trying to get something arranged from the 15th to the 21st in Florida. It is important we get together, because we don't have much time.'' Last week, Best submitted a formal presentation to his bosses on Bermuda Football Association's executive committee, requesting permission to take Bermuda's senior squad on a European tour, with next year's World Cup qualifying matches in mind.

The former West Ham United and Feyenoord player has long insisted that more exposure to overseas opposition is essential if Bermuda teams are to compete on the world stage, with expense often the stumbling block.

Best conceded that Panama and Cuba would be tough opponents, but adopted a positive approach to the challenge.

"I think it's a good draw for us. If we really want to go to the Olympics, it is better to face the bigger teams now than later,'' said Best.

The strong Cuba senior side won May's Caribbean Cup qualifying tournament in Bermuda, beating the Island 2-1 in a hard-fought deciding match.

And although their under-23 side will be much younger, their standards are likely to be similarly high.

The host nation would also be tough to play against, Best expected. "I have seen Panama play and I would expect them to play South American style, with a fast, short-passing game. We will just have to be ready to go to war,'' he added.