Senior women’s football coach Naquita Robinson is urging her team to embrace the challenge as underdogs Bermuda prepare to face Costa Rica at Flora Duffy Stadium tonight (7pm).

Costa Rica are ranked third behind the United States and Canada in the region and are certain to pose a tough test for the Lady Gombey Warriors in Group C of the Concacaf Women’s Qualifiers.

Bermuda sit second in the group after a 4-0 victory over the Cayman Islands and a 4-1 defeat to Guatemala and Robinson is under no illusions as to the level of performance that will be needed.

“This is definitely a tough task but these are the games that we look forward to playing now,” Robinson said.

“You like to play against those teams that you can go in and confidently know that you’re going to win, but in order to get better we have to play better and in order to be the best, you’ve got to play the best.

“There has to be a level of balance and respect, so that we’re not fearful but we are mindful. We won’t be naive in thinking that we can play open football and just go at them, so we will look to make sure that we cover the gaps, we are in position to defend properly and possibly play counter-attacking football at times.”

While Kenni Thompson, Nia Christopher, Jaden Masters and Eva Frazzoni ensure the team is stacked with attacking talent, the return of Kimmisha Perinchief among the goalkeepers adds strength in depth at the back.

“Kimmisha actually reached out to me when she realised that we were short on goalkeepers and having been the goalkeeping coach for the under-17 boys who just recently travelled to Honduras, she felt like she could get back in and offer a hand.

“Sharifa Crockwell is our No 1 goalkeeper, but Kimi felt that she could come in, get a bit of work herself and also be an actual goalkeeper in the event it comes to that.”

One ongoing key absentee is professional LeiLanni Nesbeth, who has not made herself available for the campaign and Robinson says she will not beg players to be part of the national set-up.

“LeiLanni doesn’t respond to messages,” Robinson said. “I reach out to her to ask if she’s available, just like I reach out to every player.

“The last time we spoke, she was focusing on her career with Chicago Red Stars. My manager has reached out to her but she hasn’t responded and there’s only so much I can do.

“Would she be an asset? Absolutely, and I think she would enjoy the group. She was part of our gold medal 2023 team and we have grown since then, but I don't try to pressure players or make them feel bad for choices that they make.

“I’m focused on this team. We have a good team, this is the team that I ride with and I trust in the players that I have.”

Robinson feels that the 4-1 defeat at Guatemala in the last game was not a fair reflection of the match and is confident the squad can build on that promising display.

“We've watched that game as a team and as individuals,” Robinson said.

“We looked at the five goals in the match and ours was probably the best worked and the only real football goal.

“The girls know the energy that they played with in that match and I’m not making too many changes. Your last match is the most memorable one and have the two hardest teams in the middle of the campaign, which is great for us.”

Robinson admits to nerves before a big game but is excited that her team get to play some big matches on home soil, something she rarely got to do as a player.

“Usually I’m a nervous wreck but I'm actually pretty relaxed and going in as the underdog is fine,” she said.

“We don’t have to play with any fear and there’s no expectation. We’re going to be needing the crowd to be the twelfth man and the girls will be up for it. It’s always exciting to play at home regardless of what’s about to happen.

“I only got to play once for Bermuda in front of the home crowd, so it’s going to be great to have the home crowd behind us and pushing us with every pass, every shot and everything that we have to offer.”

Plenty has been written in the run-up to the game about Robinson being assisted by her brother Calvin “Patches” Dill for this match, but the head coach insists it is not important.

“It is an honour and it is a highlight but it’s not the focus for either of us and not something we have discussed at length,” Robinson said. “While it will be an honour and probably an emotional moment, this is not about the brother and sister connection as much as it is the Bermuda connection.”