Chances of success on the world stage for Bermuda's under-17 national soccer team will not be seriously harmed by their lack of experience against foreign opposition, according to the Island's coaching supremo Clyde Best.

The youngsters leave this weekend for Trinidad where they will compete in the qualifying round of the Junior World Cup, well short of the match-playing preparation team officials had envisioned.

But Best, Bermuda's Director of Coaching, is not too worried, despite having voiced his displeasure about the lack of pre-tournament games against foreign teams in the past.

"The good thing about this group of players is that they are young, vibrant and they want to play. We have had some games locally against some of the senior teams and they have done very well,'' said Best.

"Naturally we would have liked to have had a few matches against foreign opposition but playing against the First Division squads like we have done has helped to compensate and I am happy with that. And additionally the youngsters have worked hard while combining their programme around school activities.'' But while the Bermuda squad have played plenty of practice matches, the fact remains that friendlies don't require the players to demonstrate the same intensity as during a serious and more competitive encounter.

The team's last competitive matches were during the two-leg home elimination round against St. Vincent. Bermuda did well to win both games 1-0 at Somerset on October 21 and 23.

Best, however, remains confident and up-beat about the team's chances of becoming the first local side to reach a World Cup proper.

"If they play like they are capable of playing we stand a good chance,'' he said. "But this time we are away from home and it's going to be harder and that's where more work has had to come in for the boys.

"For some reason there are still some people here who think that you can play this game on skill alone and the truth is you can't, you have to work. I don't care where you are from, if you can't work in this game you will not get anything from it.'' Bermuda depart for Trinidad on Sunday and will compete in the four-nation qualifying tournament against the hosts, the Netherland Antilles and Barbados.

Trinidad will be Bermuda's first and toughest opponents on December 2. Bermuda then take on the Netherland Antilles two days later and their final match will be against Barbados on December 6.

What occurs after this round remains uncertain, but it is believed that two nations will advance and become the CONCACAF representatives, advancing to either another round or to the World Cup proper.