Cuba side had edged his own team out in their Caribbean Nations Cup showdown at National Stadium yesterday: We need more games.

People may look incredulous at the suggestion when Bermuda have just played three internationals in five days, but in a sense he is right.

Cuba beat Bermuda yesterday because they were technically more proficient -- a proficiency born of having been together playing and training in Germany for several months -- and because they were physically stronger.

Bermuda are beginning to show promise as a team, as displayed in their two dominant wins over the Bahamas and the Caymans, but the fitness and power that would have seen them through to the finals in Trinidad, seemed yesterday to dry up in the face of an altogether more sophisticated challenge.

As Best said afterwards: "It seemed to me we came out a bit flat in the first half -- we couldn't get going.

"People have to understand you have to prepare properly, you have to play games, you can't just come out and expect to win championships.

"For us to be successful we have to get used to playing every other day -- and that's just a fact of life. Until we learn that, we're always going to have these sort of obstacles.

"We do need to be a bit fitter and stronger, but that will come with playing games. If you play more you get to know there are certain things you should do out there and certain things you shouldn't do.'' That being so, it is fair to say that Bermuda's performances in these championships have been a major improvement on those in the corresponding competition in the Cayman Islands a year ago.

Make no mistake, this Bermuda team would have reversed the two defeats suffered at the hands of Cuba and the Caymans last year. The personnel is stronger, they have had the benefit of several games since Christmas to develop a better understanding, and there is a good team spirit.

"It's a fantastic improvement on this time last year,'' agreed Best. "People here complain about us playing a 3-5-2 system and yet we scored 11 goals playing that, so it shows you that the system is flexible. You look at the Cuba team here and they lined up with a similar formation.'' When it came down to it though, this Cuba team -- far more impressive than the 11 representing them 12 months ago -- had enough know-how to blunt Bermuda's still fledgling use of the formation.

They never allowed wing-backs Andrew Rahman and Randy Spence the space on the flanks to get behind them.

Beaten but not disgraced From Page 31 They overran the hosts in midfield, where Otis Steede and the usually inspirational Meshach Wade seemed unable to get going, while at the back keeping a tight rein on the dangerous Keishon Smith and Kyle Lightbourne, who lacked the support from the middle of the park to create many openings.

"They took the space away from us,'' admitted Best. "But then again they're coming to win. They did a good professional job.

"We've just got to keep working hard. I'm sure that people who came in the last three games have seen that we're trying to play good football and I'm sure once the fans see that we'll see the stands get full.

Best will have been delighted, however, with the switch of Smith into an attacking role that brought him four goals in two games.

His strike yesterday lifted the former West Ham striker and most of the remainder of the bench off their seats in admiration.

"We've always thought that Keishon could play up front, so we just decided to put him up there and he came good.

"His goal today was fantastic, textbook. Having spent a lot of time around professionals, I don't think a professional could have done any better.'' Best continued: "In the end, we can't fault anybody. It just didn't go our way. We have to take our licks, accept them, and just go on from there.'' Quite where Bermuda will be going to next remains unknown.

"I was hoping it was going to be Trinidad but it's not,'' said Best. "As I always say to you guys, it's going to take a lot of money, a lot of hard work.

I would like us to play once a week, but money's a big problem.'' Best and his team can be proud to have achieved one thing, though, at the end of a troubled season for domestic soccer.

They have at least shown that if the football fraternity, from clubs and officials to players and fans, can put their differences aside for a common goal, they can perhaps achieve a fair bit more in the years to come.

Crunch time: Bermuda's man of the match Kentoine Jennings (left) battles for possession with Cuba's Luis Marten-Pellicier during yesterday's final Caribbean Cup qualifier at National Stadium yesterday. Cuba won 2-1 to eliminate Bermuda.