Coach Naquita Robinson is trying to keep her players focused getting a good result against Dominican Republic tonight at the Estadio Olympico Felix Sanchez in Santo Domingo, in their Concacaf W Qualifier against the group C leaders.

Bermuda, third in the group, need a victory against their hosts and then hope Dominican Republic can beat Jamaica in their final match in order to have any chance of qualifying from the group.

Bermuda close out their group play next Tuesday with their first home match of the tournament against Grenada. They lost their group opener 4-0 to Jamaica before bouncing back with a 6-0 triumph over Cayman Islands as Nia Christopher scored a hat-trick.

“The excitement is around Tuesday at the National Sports Centre, but I have to keep reminding them that we have a job to do here first so that game is not a formality,” Robinson said during a press conference yesterday.

“If we win the game we are still in the hunt. We have to do our job here first, we can’t look past this match. If we get that job done then tomorrow night we can have a whole different conversation.”

Captain Eva Frazzoni added: “We’re really trying to tune in right now and come together and really feed off each other and discuss what it’s going to take.”

Ernest Peets, the sports minister, sent the team a message of encouragement yesterday, assuring them they have his and the country’s support for what will be a tough match.

“On behalf of the Ministry, I want to extend my well wishes to our senior women’s national team who are preparing for the next round of matches in the Concacaf W Championship Qualifiers,” Peets said.

“This team has worked and trained incredibly hard to get to this stage, and we’re all behind them 100 per cent. For the final match I’m encouraging all of Bermuda to come out and cheer on our home team in their match against Grenada.”

Peets has pledged financial support for female athletes and teams going forward. The first show of such support will come with the Ministry’s decision to waive the fee for the BFA to use the National Sports Centre for next week’s match.

“The Ministry is extremely supportive of women in sport and will look to ensure that a financial donation is provided to aid in the development of Bermuda’s female athletes and teams,” the Minister added.

“So today, I join with the entire country in expressing how proud we all are of the women’s national team and the incredible determination they’ve displayed.

“We extend our best wishes to the entire team and coaching staff, and we can’t wait to celebrate your success.”

Tonight’s match starts at 8pm.