From the start of this shambolic World Cup campaign, Bermuda were destined for failure. And at least yesterday's defeat to a less than ordinary Antigua team might bring soccer in this country to its senses -- although don't bet your last dollar on it.

What made the loss so frustrating was that the manner in which Bermuda bowed out in no way reflected the talent available on this Island.

On paper, we should have wiped the floor with Antigua.

Instead, what the result did reflect all too well was a complete lack of organisation, communication and commitment.

Who's to blame? The administration, the coaches, the players? Maybe they all owe an explanation.

Certainly the Clyde Best saga -- the untimely decision not to renew his contract, initiated by those who run the BFA, didn't get the campaign off to a particularly rousing start.

But if it's true that Best and his national coach Robert Calderon had the last say on who to pick for the squad, then they too must take their share of the blame.

Many of those who follow the game locally seemed to agree that pros Shaun Goater and Kyle Lightbourne should be left with their clubs in England. But ultimately that decision has cost Bermuda its place in the next qualifying round.

For there's no doubt that with a striker the quality of either Goater or Lightbourne, Bermuda would have breezed through this tie. That's not to criticise those forwards who did play, but the English League pair are of a different class.

Without them we were always going to struggle to score, and a single penalty goal over the two legs emphasised that point.

Compounding that problem was a strong suspicion that some of the players who were picked seemed to lack the fire and passion that one expects from someone representing their country.

It's rumoured that last Thursday night -- three days before this crucial match -- just six national squad players turned up for training. If that's true, they deserved no more than yesterday's defeat.

As one fan remarked at the final whistle, "you reap what you sow.'' What Bermuda has reaped is another sorry chapter in a soccer history which simply doesn't mirror the local game's potential.

-- ADRIAN ROBSON