Bermuda Football Association (BFA) president Larry Mussenden yesterday urged his fellow countrymen to rally behind the national football team?s Digicel Cup cause in Barbados tonight.

Mussenden has witnessed both of Bermuda?s matches so far and has also caught a glimpse of tonight?s opponents ? host country Barbados ? who he is confident can be beaten.

?It?s all going to come down to the wire. And so I?m asking all of Bermuda to be really rooting for the team and to place their heart and souls down here in Barbados with the team to help us finish in the top two and advance directly to the Digicel Cup Finals in Trinidad and Tobago,? he said.

?I certainly believe Bermuda can beat this Barbados team. Barbados will have the home field advantage with several thousand vociferous fans urging them on in the stands. So Bermuda is going to have to set all of that aside and be able to excel . . . and I know that they can do it.

?We have seemed to have found a very good combination that was able to get past Bahamas. And I think it?s going to be a very thrilling game.?

Mussenden said the association?s long-term goal remains to become one of the most ?competitive? teams in the CONCACAF region ? a goal he maintains can only be achieved with more financial support from Government.

?As you know the BFA has developed a strategic plan which we are looking to make public in the next few weeks and submitted to the Bermuda Government a request for some $24 million with about $3.5 million in the next budget year,? he added.

?Our aim is to be one of the best teams in the Caribbean, and that is an aim that is realistically within arm?s reach at this point. So I wish the coaches and the players all of the best of luck in making this happen for themselves, the BFA and for Bermuda.?

When asked about his thoughts of the tournament so far, Mussenden replied: ?I think the tournament has been organised excellently by the Barbados Football Association. Of course I was hoping Bermuda would?ve been victorious against St.Vincent (in the first match), but that didn?t happen.

?But we were able to get a victory against Bahamas (in the second match) which puts everybody in a very interesting position for the final matches.?