Bermuda's under-23 soccer team went down to a cruel defeat against Panama in Panama City last night.

A goal by Alberto Zapata in the second minute of first-half injury time was enough for the home side to open the three-nation Olympic qualifying tournament with a victory.

Bermuda had earlier been the first team to get the ball in the net, only for Keith Jennings' brilliant strike on the half hour to be ruled out for a marginal offside."We lost a real heart-breaker,'' said the team's head coach Mark Trott late last night."The guys were absolutely fantastic and I am totally in awe of their performance.'' The result means Bermuda need to beat Cuba in their second and final match tomorrow night -- and then hope Cuba beat Panama on Sunday -- to have any chance of advancing to the next qualifying phase in Hershey, Pennsylvania at the end of this month.

Bermuda's disallowed goal came from what Trott called "a brilliant piece of football''. Jemeiko Jennings' pass found Steve Astwood and he back-heeled it to Keith Jennings who smashed home a spectacular first-time shot.

"I did not think it was offside, but Clyde (Best) thought it was very close,'' said Trott. "I think it's one of those that if Panama had scored it, it would probably have been allowed to stand.'' Panama's goal came after Bermuda had pushed forward, committing more than half the team to attack. Keith Jennings was dispossessed and a quick long ball sparked the move which ended with a brilliant finish by Zapata.

The noisy 15,000 crowd in the Rommel Fernandez stadium had inspired rather than intimidated Bermuda, said Trott. "John Barry Nusum and Steveie Astwood were brilliant in attack, even though John Barry missed a couple of chances he would normally have put away,'' said Trott. "They never stopped hassling Panama.

"And Jemeiko Jennings was amazing. He went out there and played such a hard physical game.

"The result makes it difficult for us, but we know we have to beat Cuba and then see how the chips fall.'' Mark Trott