East and play matches against Hong Kong and Indonesia.

Details have not yet been finalised, but an initial offer to Bermuda Football Association has come from a promotional agency. If the agency confirms the offer, it would mean an all-expenses-paid trip for the Island team.

But plans to stage the tour early next month were scuppered last night because the timing was inconvenient for two other teams who were to be invited along with Bermuda, said BFA general secretary David Sabir. He added that the tour plan was still very much alive however.

Next year will be an important one for Clyde Best's men, with World Cup and Olympic qualifiers looming and the tour would be a huge boost to their preparations.

National technical director Best was reluctant to comment on the Far East tour before it had been confirmed.

But he did say: "It would be great for the players if it came off. I've been saying all along that we need more games and more exposure and to play teams away from the Island.'' Sabir said Bermuda's efforts in their 2-1 defeat against a strong Cuban team in the Caribbean Cup qualifying tournament at the National Stadium in May had brought them to the attention of the agency.

"They heard of our result and performance against Cuba and they wanted to bring in a team of their own level for international matches,'' said Sabir.

The news comes hot on the heels of confirmation of two international matches against the Cayman Islands next week.

The Caribbean side will arrive on the Island next Monday for games on Thursday and Saturday, both at BAA Field with 8.00 p.m. kick-offs.

The Caymans took part in the Caribbean Cup qualifying tournament at the National Stadium in May and Bermuda, helped by a hat-trick from Keishon Smith, beat them 4-1 on that occasion.

Best conceded that it was not ideal to be playing a country his team had beaten so well so recently, but added: "We would love to have some different opponents as well, but just to have the games is great.'' Sabir said Bermuda had been invited for return fixtures against the Caymans in January.

Arrangements are also close to being finalised with St. Lucia for two friendlies in Bermuda later this month. The two matches have been pencilled in for September 23 and 25, but the venues are yet to be confirmed.

And Sabir also said that Washington-based Major League Soccer team DC United, who beat Bermuda 2-0 at the National Stadium last March, had expressed an interest in a repeat visit next year.