The people of Bermuda are being urged to turn the National Stadium into a sea of red and wave their flags high and proud as the Island's football team fight for victory in a crunch World Cup game.

Thousands of people will cram into the stadium tomorrow night to support the Gombey Warriors as they try to preserve their slender lead over Trinidad and Tobago's Soca Warriors and record one of the nation's greatest footballing triumphs.

Victory over the two-leg game would see Bermuda reach the group stages of the World Cup qualifying campaign for only the second time in their history. Bermuda holds a 2-1 lead after the first leg in Trinidad.

Last night Bermuda Football Association (BFA) President, Larry Mussenden said: "We are expecting a sea of red. It is going to be magnificent, there is going to be Bermuda flags, noise makers, air horns.

"We will continue what I call 'war' on Trinidad and Tobago and it's going to be a good game. So we are calling on every single Bermudian and resident to urge the team on and give their noisy support to Bermuda for the entire 90 minutes of the match."

Hott 107.5 Radio Host and Senator, Thaao Dill, admits he expects to see Trinidad and Tobago get "thrashed" tomorrow night.

"In terms of support I really do expect to see Bermuda rally and show the appropriate support to our team. Anything less than a concerted national campaign to trounce our Trinidian cousins is unacceptable.

"People need to come and wear their colours and come and scream their throats raw, just holler," he said.

Sen. Dill added: "Cheering for our national team is really just cheering for ourselves because they are a representation of what we can accomplish, who we can be and who we really are."

Bermuda Hogges coach, Kyle Lightbourne commended the Gombey's for coming this far and said: "The Bermuda team has done well to get a result down in Trinidad. It is going to bring the house down at National Stadium and that's good to see.

"For the players, they are going to be playing in front of a big crowd and that's not normally something that happens in Bermuda. Obviously we would like to have those sort of crowds week in and week out, but it's an opportunity for them to do well and hopefully the crowd can help to make the twelfth player.

"I wish them all the luck and hope they do us proud."

According to Opposition Leader Kim Swan, Bermudians should wave their flags and be proud of their team tomorrow night. He said: "This is a golden opportunity for us to find a Bermuda flag and wave it at the game. There is no greater honour for an athlete than to represent their country, which only a small percentage of the population will ever do in the sport.

"Given the magnitude of the competition, as it is the World Cup... it's even more of a reason for us as supporters to show how proud we are of the (team) and to help elevate their spirits."

National Cricket coach Gus Logie admitted that tomorrow's match goes far beyond the day itself and will affect sports on the Island as a whole.

He said: "I'm more thinking about the bigger picture where sports is concerned in Bermuda. I think it could be a viable option for young people. We tend to think that sports is a disruption in our everyday lives, when it can be used as a catalyst for change, and can be a viable option for young people to excel in another area.

"And you just have to see all the excitement it has brought to the Island from everyone, sponsors, radio stations, everyone involved in football, everyone involved in sports, the interest is there for everyone."

Even the Premier Ewart Brown admitted he had "butterflies" in anticipation of the game. He said: "I can hardly wait for Sunday but nothing that happens on Sunday can take away the sweet satisfaction of last week's victory.

"Our players and coaches have been well-prepared and their country is fully behind them."

The National Stadium will be expecting more than 5,000 supporters tomorrow and while football legend Clyde Best was disappointed that some of the team's year-round supporters were unable to get tickets for the game, he expected the crowd to show their support for the team.

He said: "Let's get behind the team and cheer them on. It's nice to know that they are going to have a sell-out crowd, and they deserve it."

Diane Gordon, from the Chamber of Commerce, shared in the excitement and said: "We are excited about the game and very supportive and proud of the Bermuda team. However, it is still only half-time and we look forward to the players reaching deep down and delivering a historic result for Bermuda soccer. The eyes of the soccer world are on Bermuda this weekend!

"On a more serious note, a reminder to the community while enjoying the day and event, to be careful with drinking and driving and respect others, despite differences of opinions. The day is about supporting and having fun."

There will be a special area reserved at the stadium for the Trinidadian fans, including Omed Joseph, President of West Indian Association.

Ms Joseph explained that there are approximately 250 to 300 Trin-bagonians on the Island, some of whom are planning to watch the game tomorrow.

"I support Bermuda when they are playing anyone else except Trinidad and Tobago," said the Soca Warrior Fan.