Bermuda?s hopes of qualifying for the 2006 Under 19 World Cup in Sri Lanka now hinge upon two key factors ? a win today against hosts Canada and the eventual findings of an investigation into the eligibility of at least one team member of group leaders USA.

Torrential rains yesterday forced abandonment of Bermuda?s third group match against Cayman Islands at King City, Toronto ? both teams received two points to remain in second and third place respectively in the five-team standings heading into today?s final round of qualifiers.

However, the biggest story north of the border yesterday were concerns raised on the actual citizenship of players on the USA?s team and an ongoing investigation into the matter which, if substantiated, could result in the USA being expelled from the World Cup qualifying tournament.

?Nothing has been confirmed as of yet. . . but you can sense something in the air,? commented Bermuda assistant coach Andre (Doc) Manders. ?All the coaches and managers are saying ?whoever comes second could end up going through?.

?Everybody just wants to win. I can?t go into any details and we are going to let them (tournament organisers) deal with the matter because it is really out of our hands.?

Tournament organisers were said to have met on the matter last night, however there was no further disclosure on the outcome of those discussions.

?Those guys (tournament officials) were all tied up in meetings with the umpires,? Manders added.

Only recently the International Cricket Council (ICC) booted the USA?s senior national squad from this month?s Intercontinental Cup three-day tournament in Toronto, paving the way, instead, for Cayman Islands to compete.

Clay Smith?s World Cup-bound Bermuda squad take on tournament hosts Canada at the Toronto Cricket and Skating Club August 23 to 25 before closing out against Cayman Islands August 27 to 29.

The eventual winner of that tournament will advance to the semi-finals scheduled for Namibia in October.

Bermuda?s Under 19 youth squad crushed Argentina by nine-wickets in their opening match but were brought crashing back to earth 24 hours later courtesy of an eight-wicket hammering from the USA.

Cayman Islands, who have a superior run rate (4.59) to Bermuda (0.01), are scheduled to meet the USA today with the Island?s young charges poised to take on hosts Canada.

In the event Bermuda win, and the USA are found guilty of breaching registration rules, than Oronde Bascome?s squad will have achieved their World Cup qualifying objective to become the first local squad to win a major international tournament on foreign turf since Charlie Marshall led Bermuda to International Youth Tournament glory in Toronto in 1979.

Assistant coach Manders was a member of Marshall?s victorious team in Toronto 26 years ago.

?It?s now all down to the last game and we hope it doesn?t rain,? he said. ?But the guys are fairly upbeat and ready to play and we are just hoping it doesn?t rain.?

Should the USA be expelled, than their match today against Cayman Islands and Bermuda?s defeat at the American?s expense will be nullified. Cayman Islands lost to Canada earlier in the week, leaving Bermuda?s World Cup qualifying fate in the balance.

Manders added: ?If we can win against Canada then our chances will be great. But first let?s hope it doesn?t rain all day like it did today.?

Bermuda?s squad that was due to meet the Cayman Islands underwent only one change from the one that was humbled by the US, leg-spinner Jade Foggo coming in for St.George?s team mate Brian Phipps.

Manders said fellow Bermuda team officials Herbie Bascome and Arnold Manders were due to discuss team tactics and possible changes, if any, for today?s final and all-important clash.

?We decided to bring Jade (Foggo) into the team because we felt we needed another spinner. The wickets are taking spin over here and it was learned Cayman Islands prefer the faster stuff,? Manders explained.

Meanwhile, local umpires Lester Harnett and Roger Dill are currently officiating in the tournament.

Bermuda return home tomorrow afternoon.: O.Bascome (capt), R.Trott, M.Jones, D.Brangman, R.Wijewardena, J.Pitcher, J.Dickinson, S.Kelly, M.Paynter, T.Burgess, J.Foggo, B.Phipps, L.Marshall, D.Campbell.