IT was a tale of two halves for Bermuda against Puerto Rico on Wednesday night at the National Sports Centre.

Organised, compact and comfortable on the ball, Keith Tucker's men gave a good account of themselves in the first-period against a national team who were a step up in class compared to the St. Kitts team Bermuda played before Christmas.

And they could, and should, have taken the lead halfway through the first period but in-form marksman Aljame Zuill squandered their only real genuine chance when put clean through by Keishen Bean who continues to impress in the holding midfield position.

But the second-half saw Bermuda's short ¿ the often too close, pretty passing game was rendered completely useless with the blustery conditions now in their faces, rather than behind their backs.

Pushed back by the bigger and stronger Puerto Ricans, Bermuda were camped inside their own half for virtually the remainder of the game allowing the Caribbean islanders to impose themselves on proceedings.

Frustratingly, Tucker's team continues to struggle against set-pieces and in a match devoid of individual spark and brilliance a well-taken corner or free-kick can prove decisive.

And so it proved with Puerto Rico nudging ahead on with Taylor Graham heading home a flag-kick, before Andres Cabrero doubled their lead with a swirling shot from distance after Bermuda failed to clear their lines from another corner.

It must be remembered that Puerto Rico are far better than there lowly FIFA ranking would suggest and possess a nucleus of players performing regularly at USL-D1 level for pro-franchise Puerto Rico Islanders.

Their coach, former Portsmouth striker Colin Clarke, doubles up as the Islanders boss and so there's a continuity about them that should see their national team make huge strides forward over the coming years. The Islanders are viewed as trailblazers for overseas franchises' like Bermuda Hogges who hope to follow in their slipstream and establish themselves as a pro-outfit.

There's no doubt this week's doubleheader will serve as excellent preparation for the national team ahead of their World Cup qualifying showdown with the Cayman Islands next month.

Will Cayman be as physical, organised or professional than Puerto Rico?

By the time of Bermuda's date with destiny they should be boosted by the return of MLS Star Khano Smith and MISL striker John Barry Nusum. Skipper Kwame Steede and flying winger Domico Coddington should have full recovered from their injuries, while Ipswich Town Academy midfielder Reggie Lambe could also be back on board.

With all that taken into account, there are certainly reasons for Bermuda to be optimistic of progressing past the preliminary stage of the qualifiers.

The second friendly interantional teakes place tonight at the NSC starting at 8.00.