Bermuda's national squash team is playing for pride after failing to qualify for the knockout phase of the Men's World Team Championship in Chennai, India.

Progressing to the next stage was always a mountainous proposition with all of Bermuda's preliminary matches, against powerhouses Pakistan, India and Kenya, resembling David v Goliath duels.

Having finished rooted to the foot of their group, the Island's trio of Chase Toogood, Melrindo Caines and 17-year-old Robert Maycock are now battling it out for positions 17-29 and take on Venezuela today — a team yet to win a single game this tournament.

Patrick Foster, national development coach, expects Bermuda to be more than competitive against the South Americans and said he was particular encouraged to see Maycock make an impact on the world stage.

"I think the boys have done very well considering they were in a particularly tough group featuring Pakistan, a very strong squash nation," he said. "I understand Robbie Maycock has been in excellent form and he's only a junior so that's great news.

"I think we've a chance against Venezuela as they've no superstars, so fingers crossed we can pull off a victory and secure the highest possible place."

Bermuda lost their first pool match to India 3-0 although last year's under-16 Caribbean champion Maycock was in impressive form, scoring eight points in two of his games.

Two more 3-0 defeats at the hands of Pakistan and Kenya followed, but Maycock was once again the pick of the bunch recording a game against India's Hartai Bains 11-9, before losing the next three 12-10, 11-4, 11-2.

Bermuda then tasted a 3-0 defeat against Sweden in the first match of the 17-29 positional play-offs. A glass floor court had been planned for the Championship but was switched to a wooden one because of the problems experienced in the recent World Open in Bermuda.

During a particular humid night at the Fairmont Southampton Pincess the glass floor became saturated with player's sweat making it difficult for them to maintain their footing.

The majority of those players who travelled to Bermuda for the Open are in action with winner Amr Shabana, of Egypt, and runner-up Gregory Gaultier, of France, representing their countries.

The Men's World Team Championship finishes tomorrow and is the biggest squash event ever held in India. In all, 29 countries are participating including Egypt, Australia, England, Pakistan, France and Malaysia.

England are the defending champions, having beaten Egypt in the final in 2006.