Football Association was already making plans for the next World Cup challenge against Antigua and a warm-up game against the United States Olympic team.

President Charlie Marshall confirmed that Bermuda's World Cup first round home and away matches against Antigua must be completed by July 31 and that a friendly encounter against the United States -- which now must be regarded as a valuable World Cup warm-up -- has been confirmed for Indiana on June 21.

However, the most urgent matter for the BFA to consider at present is a request by Antigua to have the first game played in the Caribbean and the second in Bermuda, even though the first and second venues have apparantly already been pre-determined by FIFA.

This request by Antigua was extended to Bermuda by the president of the Antiguan Football Association during the recent CONCACAF Conference in Vancouver earlier in the month. They want the first game to be played in Antigua during the first week of June.

"The president approached me with this proposal and I immediately passed the information on to the chairman of the coaching committee and the national team manager,'' said Marshall.

"I don't know their response but I know that we will be discussing the matter as a body shortly now that we have gotten by Haiti.'' Darrell said in Haiti after the Bermuda win that he would prefer to play the first match at home. "The draw is already pre-determined who is at home first time around but Charlie said to me a week or so ago that they have requested the first match to be played there in Antigua,'' said the manager.

"If it's our option to play the first match at home than I definitely want that option. If we go to Antigua and draw or lose 1-0 there is always far more pressure at home.'' Darrell added that if he could be guaranteed the type of support at home that Haiti got he would have no fears about playing the deciding match at home.

"We know that's the case,'' he stated. "I'm hoping this success will enable us to get our people to believe in us a bit more.'' Antigua, who at the time were unaware who their opponents would be, were forced to plan ahead for the game because of the limited facilities they have at their disposal this time of the year.

According to Marshall, cricket is now being played on the ground that is usually used for soccer and the venue will shortly be the site for the annual carnival for a period of at least one week.

With restricted availability dates at their main ground during the month of June, Antigua are therefore anxious to have Bermuda accept their request.

However, Marshall was careful not to have Bermuda reach a decision that wouldn't benefit the national team. He said that they will look at it carefully before replying to Antigua.

"There is so much one has to look at, in particular team manager Gary Darrell,'' said the president.

"Mr. Darrell has to take into consideration the injuries that the players may have sustained in Haiti, the availability situation regarding the professionals and several other matters,'' he added.

Among the many other things which the BFA has to consider is coming up with an arrangement that avoids a clash with domestic cricket fixtures. "I would like to minimise the impact on cricket as much as possible because it's important that our two bodies get along.'' But to have the United States game sandwiched between the two Antiguan matches was something that Marshall viewed as possibly being of great benefit to Darrell's team preparation plans. The deal with the United States is attractive in that it is an all expenses paid trip, one that requires Bermuda to do nothing but show up.

Marshall yesterday gave praise to Darrell and his team for their performance in Haiti when they made history by becoming the first Bermuda squad to advance beyond the first round.

"First though I have to thank the Bank of Bermuda for providing the necessary funds for making it possible for us to participate in the World Cup. Without their help it's doubtful if we would have been able to,'' said the president.

"Our team did well and we should all be extremely proud of what they have achieved with the limited resources we have here in the island.'' Marshall said that if Bermuda's good run is to continue then increased support would be required for the Antiguan match -- far greater than the 2,500 that paid to see them perform here against Haiti.

"We saw how intimidating the Haitian crowd were with their support, now Bermuda fans should come and give their support for the national effort our players will be making for the country. I would like to see greater support than we had for Haiti,'' said Marshall.

"It's takes commitment and great expense to go into major tournaments like this and the support of the public is crucial.'' SMILING MOOD -- Bermuda's World Cup football team arrived back home yesterday after winning their qualifying tie with Haiti on Sunday. The team will now begin preparing for their first round Caribbean Region match with Antigua between June 15 and July 31. Pictured left to right are: Shawn Smith, Shawn Goater, who scored the goal which sent Bermuda through despite the 2-1 loss, Neil Robinson (front), Roy Stevens, Meshach Wade (capt), Kentoine Jennings and Philip Clarke.