Salvador tomorrow in a clash of the two sides favoured to advance to the next round of World Cup qualifying.

Canada's management team reckons it will take eight points from the six group matches to book a spot gin the next round. With a win and two draws in the opening three games, they are halfway there, and hope to take a big step tomorrow in their last match against non-Bermudian opposition.

Canada have needed some late-match heroics to assemble their unbeaten record.

Goals in the final five minutes of play by 1986 World Cup striker Dale Mitchell and midfielder Colin Miller, respectively, gave Canada their points in 1-1 draws against Jamaica and El Salvador.

Mitchell's second goal of qualifying play provided Canada with their win against Jamaica last Sunday in Toronto.

Despited their lacklustre play, however, Canada have managed to get a result in each match thus far. And that, said team boss Bob Lenarduzzi, is all he is asking for.

"Everyone knows we've got to get through this round -- that's the priority,'' Lenarduzzi said this week. "If we look pretty in the process that will be a bonus -- but it's not the priority.'' Canada will face El Salvador without first-choice goalkeeper Craig Forrest, who took a knock in San Salvador and has returned to Ipswich Town of the English Premier League. Forrest will be lost to Canada for the remainder of group play.

Taking his place will be Paul Dolan, who became the youngest goalkeeper to ever play in a World Cup when he played Canada's opening match in 1986 against France as a 19-year-old.

Canada are otherwise healthy, and will be bolstered by the return to the lrine-up of forwards John Catliff and Paul Peschisolido. Veteran Catliff has recovered from a leg injury while young Peschisolido -- currently on trial with Birmingham City of England's First Division -- is back after an ankle ailment kept him out of Canada's opening two matches. He returned last week against Jamaica and was one of Canada's best performers.

Striker Alex Bunbury, whose far-post cross laid on Mitchell's headed winner against Jamaica, left for england after Sunday's match to discuss terms with West Ham United. He flew back to Vancouver last night and is expected to play against El Salvador.

The visitors have rebounded from their shock 1-0 defeat at National Stadium in opening weekend group play to pick up three points at home. A 1-1 draw with Canada preceded last Sunday's 4-1 victory over Bermuda. The win moved El Salvador into a tie for second spot in the group with Bermuda. Both teams trail Canada's group-leading total of four points by one point.

The Salvadoreans will have to adjust to the wet, windy weather expected here in Vancouver tomorrow. But that does not have Canadian manager Len Wilson over-confident.

"Guatemala adjusted every well when they knocked us out of World Cup qualifying in 1988, and Jamaica didn't seem to have any problems in Toronto,'' Wilson said. "So I don't expect the weather to be a big factor. El Salvador is very strong and technically a very good side. It'll be another tough match in this group, which doesnr't have an easy team.'' Canada finish their six-match qualifying round with next Sunday's date in Vancouver against Gary Darrell's side and the return engagement at National Stadium on December 6.