Bermuda's Central American tour ended as it began yesterday - with another defeat.

A second successive loss to Nicaragua - they were also beaten by their hosts 2-0 on Friday - added to a 4-1 thumping from Panama last Wednesday left national coach Kenny Thompson with plenty to think about ahead of next month's crucial World Cup qualifying tie against El Salvador.

But with several of the Island's leading players missing from the party which travelled south, Thompson admitted he wasn't overly concerned by the results, even though Bermuda found the net just once in their three matches and conceded eight goals.

Yesterday's game was almost a carbon copy of Friday's as Bermuda fell behind in the first five minutes and then conceded a second goal in the opening minute of the second-half.

However, playing at the Independencia Stadium in Esteli - a three-hour drive from their hotel in the capital Managua - Bermuda did create a number of chances of their own only to be let down by poor finishing.

And it was perhaps that aspect of the game which disappointed the coach most.

“It's a little bit disheartening that we weren't able to score,” said Thompson last night. “The difference in today's match (from Friday's) was that we had real chances to score and we failed to capitalise on those chances.

“The other thing was that just as in the first match against Nicaragua, we conceded an early goal and therefore we were chasing the game from the very beginning.

“It was really a defensive mistake which allowed Nicaragua to score their first goal.

“But then we felt good going into half-time only 1-0 down and we thought we could overturn it in the second half, especially having created quite a few chances.

“However, within 30 seconds of the second half two of our defenders lost their footing and their attacker was pretty much allowed to walk right through the middle and score and make it 2-0. Obviously it was then very difficult to come back after that.”

Although concerned by his team's lack of punch up front, Thompson stressed the hastily-arranged tour had been aimed at giving his younger players more international experience while at the same time offering him an opportunity to experiment with his line-up.

“We have to be a little bit concerned going into the match against El Salvador because we know they're a very, very strong football team,” added Thompson.

“But this exercise has really allowed the players to learn about what it will be like in El Salvador.

“We can take a little bit of comfort, I guess, from the fact that on this trip we have been missing some of our best players.

“We focus on the players available but the reality is that a number of our top players were unavailable and for a small country like ourselves with only a small pool to choose from, it's very difficult when you're missing some of your best players.

“The trip has been worthwhile for the younger players in the group who are lacking international experience. They now have something to build upon and hopefully they will become stronger.

“But, you know, we didn't have (‘keeper) Troy Hall, Kentoine Jennings didn't get on the field at all in the three matches, Meshach Wade's not here, John Barry Nusum's not here. Shaun's (Goater) not here, Kevin Richards' isn't here and for a small country like ours, missing that calibre of player makes it very difficult.

“We're not making excuses because again the focus is on the players who are available.

“This has definitely been a worthwhile exercise. I don't feel disheartened by the result today . . . the players showed more fight and determination in this match than they did on Friday and that bodes well for the future.”

Thompson and the players will remain in Nicaragua today before flying back to Bermuda tomorrow.

Bermuda: Timmy Figureido, David Thomas, Shannon Burgess (Robert Richardson), Stanton Lewis, Blenn Bean, Otis Steede (Clevon Hill), Kyle Lightbourne, Domico Coddington (Damon Ming), Khano Smith, Ralph Bean (Carlos Smith), Stephen Astwood (Rohan Simons).