Bermuda coach Gary Adams has identified defensive solidity as key if Bermuda are to upstage Panama in their final Concacaf Under-17 World Cup Qualifier at Flora Duffy Stadium tonight (7pm).

Panama and Bermuda head into the winner-takes-all fixture unbeaten after two big wins each against Bonaire and Suriname but the Lady Gombey Warriors know that only victory will guarantee a place in the next stage.

A draw will be enough to secure Panama the automatic ticket to the final round of qualifying, while anything less than a win will leave Bermuda sweating for a few days until games in other groups finish ― the two best runners-up in the six groups will also qualify with those determined by a weighted points system using the total number of points won and dividing by the number of matches played.

“I think the crucial part for us is making sure that we have a good defensive shape,” Adams told The Royal Gazette.

“Panama have got some very good players who have scored a bunch of goals as well, so we need to be intelligent about our shape and maintaining the ball.

“That being said, we also have some very deadly players on our team as well. I’m sure they’ll be taken into consideration, so we need to find the right balance.

“We want our players to enjoy themselves and they have to keep playing the way they have been, but we are under no illusion that Panama will be a more difficult game.

“Both teams want to win and we’re going to focus on ourselves and what we’ve been doing good, which is sticking to our game plan and adjusting when we need to.”

The Bermuda coach spoke of the high confidence in the camp after starting the campaign with a 7-0 triumph over Suriname on Saturday, followed by a 7-1 victory against Bonaire on Monday.

“I think we have a very good group of young ladies and they’ve demonstrated the qualities that people have seen,” Adams said.

“Panama’s going to be a bigger test and we need to be prepared for whatever comes our way. The girls just need to go out there and try to maintain the highest standard that each person can, which is what we’ve asked of them.

“I believe if they can just trust themselves in the process, then it gives us the opportunity to be victorious.”

Support from the fans could prove to be a decisive factor in the match and Adams is hoping that the island will come out in their thousands to support the team.

“All the local support has been wonderful,” he said.

“We’ve seen family, friends and the community in the stands sharing their support. You can see the girls really appreciate it and they love being able to perform at home.

“They love the energy they’ve been given, the positive vibes and everybody’s working together, showing their celebrations and demonstrating for the crowd.

“If the game gets really tight and you need that extra one per cent, that might be the home support. That might be exactly what we need to get us over the edge, helping these girls create their own potential history and win the group.

“So while they might be doing the work on the field, it is a community. It will be an island victory, with the support from everybody out there cheering the girls on.”

Sports minister Owen Darrell was part of the crowd for the wins over Suriname and Bonaire and he has called upon Bermudians to come out in their numbers to back the girls against Panama.

“I am extremely proud of these young women and the football they displayed,” Darrell said.

“I wish them every success in their remaining match on Wednesday at 7pm against Panama.

“I encourage all Bermudians to come out, fill the stands and cheer our team on as they continue their push for victory.

“Bermuda’s talented Under-17 women’s national team delivered a thrilling, high-energy performance in their first two matches.

“The team has shown outstanding technical ability, composure on the ball and real attacking flair even in the very cool conditions. Their teamwork and relentless pressure produced dominant victories over Suriname and Bonaire.”