Bermuda coach Kenny Thompson has urged his players to embrace the cauldron-like atmosphere and feed off the crowd's energy when they take on favourites Trinidad in a World Cup qualifier in Port of Spain this weekend.

Thompson has warned his young charges to ward against being overawed by the occasion and instead use the partisan support to inspire them to raise their performances.

And he will look towards warhorse Meshach Wade, Khano Smith and John Barry Nusum to ensure there is no repeat of the stage fright that gripped Bermuda during the early stages of their last round clash against Cayman Islands in the Caribbean.

"We will let the players know what to expect as we know there will be a very big crowd," said Thompson. "We have enough people who can advise our players on how to handle the situation. Instead of being afraid, they must embrace the situation, even though the crowd is not cheering for them.

"You need to use the energy of the crowd to motivate you. Khano (Smith), John (Nusum) and Timmy (Figureido) were part of the last World Cup campaign and they can help ease their team-mates' worries.

"Both myself and Meshach played in front of big crowds in El Salvador and Haiti when Gary Darrell was our coach as well."

Hamilton Parish player/coach Wade received a shock recall to the national team in April for their training trip to Fulham FC, and delivered commanding displays in the recent double-header against Barbados.

In the former Hereford United player, Thompson believes he has found a 'Makelele-style figure' to do the dirty work, suffocate the Soca Warriors, and help launch Bermuda's counter-attacks.

"Meshach is a very important player for us in Trinidad," Thompson said. "We don't have a player like Meshach who can sit in front of the defence and make it difficult for our opponents.

"The old type of player in that position only had the physical attributes to stop the opponent playing – you wouldn't get much else from him.

"That prototype has changed. I'm thinking of a Makelele, or even a more technical player like a Cesc Fabregas at Arsenal or Andersson at Manchester United.

"I think Meshach is the closest type of player we have in terms of being able to sit and suffocate the opponent."

Thompson sprung a few surprises yesterday when he named his 18-man squad, with midfielder Sammy DeGraff and winger Tyrell Burgess both left out of the travelling party that leaves the Island tomorrow.

The national team coach admitted whittling down 18 players from a 25-man squad had not been an easy process and said he had selected players with the qualities he felt he needed to negotiate Trinidad in their 'own backyard'.

"We looked at the first leg in Trinidad and selected players with the qualities we need for this type of match," said Thompson. "We are well blessed in the attacking midfield department and we had a lot of options.

"In reality we're expecting Trinidad to be very aggressive at home.

"We know we will have to defend for longer than we would like and they will have possession for long periods.

"That's not to say we're looking to play in a defensive mode - we want to be on the front foot as much as we can."

Bermuda's 18-man squad for Sunday's World Cup qualifying first leg against Trinidad and Tobago.

Goalkeepers: Timmy Figureido, Jason Williams

Defenders: Kofi Dill, Omar Shakir, Kevin Richards, Marquel Waldron, Kris Frick, Antonio Lowe

Midfielders: Damon Ming, Reggie Lambe, Meshach Wade, Khano Smith, Domico Coddington, Jemeiko Jennings

Forwards: Keishen Bean, Kwame Steede, John Barry Nusum, Ralph Bean jr