Bermuda's Under-17 national team face a must-win situation tomorrow when they take on Cuba at Campo La Polar Stadium in the second leg of their World Youth Cup qualifying match in downtown Havana.

And if the Cuban players emulate the fast pace of life in the city suburbs here, then Bermuda will have to be sharp if they are to come away with victory.

Bermuda and Cuba played to a scoreless draw last week at the National Sports Centre to set the stage for an intriguing return contest from which the eventual winner will advance to the final qualifying tournament in Canada next March.

But in this week's build-up, the Bermuda team have suffered one setback after another. First the chartered flight leaving Bermuda was delayed for 11 hours and then on arriving, coach Kenny Thompson's squad discovered that they had to check into another hotel.

If that wasn't enough, when they finally settled in at the Villa Pan Americana Hotel, it was well past 3 a.m. - hardly the type of pre-match preparation the coach would have wanted.

Showing slight signs of fatigue himself, Thompson admitted yesterday that arriving late had been far from ideal.

"There have been quite a few setbacks. Getting in so late - or early in the morning - and thinking that we were at one hotel and then having that changed . . . it was just difficult after we touched down at 1.30 a.m. and by the time we cleared Customs and checked into the hotel it was 3 a.m..

"Then by the time the boys were finally settled in their rooms it was easily past 3.30 a.m."

Instead of having time put aside for studies yesterday, Thompson opted to let his players catch up on their rest.

However, by 3 p.m. it was business as usual as the players held a training session at the nearby Pan Americana Stadium.

And Thompson took the opportunity to venture east and inspect the playing surface at Camp La Polar, suggesting that the standard of the pitch itself may ultimately determine what tactics his team will employ.

"If the pitch is too bumpy then we may have to consider playing the ball through the air a little more so that may be an emphasis during today's training session," added Thompson.

Bermuda are scheduled to hold their final practice session today at the Pan Americana Stadium.

Meanwhile, Thompson was uncertain about how his team would contend with the humid conditions in Cuba.

"We got in late and there was a strong odour in the air (fog) and it was very, very thick but we don't know as of yet just what effect it may have had on the players," he said.

He urged the team to look beyond the temporary obstacles and remain focused on the main objective - getting by a tough Cuban side who, like Bermuda, will depending on the same players who took to the field a week ago.

"It will be big day and we are looking for a good result here," added Thompson.

"We stressed to the players right from the beginning that whatever obstacles we are faced with are temporary and that we will have to get over them and get a good result and then get back to a normal way of life."

Thompson hinted that the setbacks might have been deliberate on the part of their hosts in an attempt to disorientate the team - a ploy that former senior Bermuda international Coolridge (Bumla) Bell - in Cuba to lend his support -said he had experienced while representing his country abroad.

The coach, however, remains confident his team can come away with the victory.

"Our main motivation is to win and that's what we are here for so whatever obstacles are placed in front of us then we will have to dig deep in order to become successful," he added.

Bermuda will be buoyed by a reasonably large local following and Thompson said he was grateful for their support.

"It's not like we are here alone. We will get to see familiar faces and hear familiar sounds and that will certainly help us out a bit," he said. "We are grateful to those who have come to lend their support."

However, the fans may not be the only familiar faces in the stands as Bermuda match official Gregory (Ribs) Simons will be on duty running the line during tomorrow's match, which is expected to be played in overcast, humid conditions.

Bermuda return to the Island Monday night.