Bermuda will be aiming to draw first blood in its FIFA Under-17 World Cup second-round qualifier against Cuba, having received the advantage of playing at home first.

Promising the local public "attractive football", the Bermuda Football Association's Technical Director Kenny Thompson yesterday stressed the need to capitalise on hosting the first leg of their encounter with their Caribbean rivals.

"I am pleased we are playing at home first. It's important we use this home-field opportunity to gain an advantage and to travel to Cuba with the edge," he said. "I think it's more difficult to play away from home first - with the possibility of things not going as well as we would like - and then us having to chase the game at home.

"Playing with a deficit - even at home - becomes very difficult."

Bermuda will play the Cubans at the National Sports Centre on December 7 before heading south for the second leg on December 15.

Local fans can follow the team's overseas exploits first-hand as a charter flight has been arranged to Cuba for the return match.

"The BFA has partnered with Victory Charters and Tours to put on a flight directly to and from Cuba for fans who are eager to show the same level of support in Cuba as we know will happen for our team in Bermuda," announced BFA General Secretary David Sabir, adding that the flight departs Bermuda on December 12 and returns on December 16.

Thompson, whose team earned the right to play Cuba after winning the FIFA World Youth Championship/Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Group A tournament against Guyana, St. Lucia and Trinidad & Tobago here last month, pledged that his young charges will "honour our responsibilities in attack and defence".

"We will be trying not to allow the Cubans to score here because as we know away goals count double.

"We will play attractive football and that means we play well in attack and look to score as many goals as possible. But attractive football is not limited to all-out attack. It comes with the responsibility of defending as well," he said.

The technical boss conceded he knows "nothing" about the young Cubans though he has been trying to tap the knowledge of his coaching peers in the Caribbean. However, based on past experience, he expects tough competition.

"I expect them to have some very good players. The Cuban national team that came to Bermuda a few years ago were a very good team and we can expect this team to mirror that team somewhat," he said, reminding that Bermuda's team back then "had a chance of winning" against the visitors.

He believes Bermuda's Under-17s' chances will be "much the same".

Lauding his squad's work ethic, Thompson disclosed their motivation and intensity at practice had "improved noticeably since qualification".

"I have been very pleased with what I see so far in the players' training attitude," he said, adding that no newcomers will join the squad.

Thompson noted that, in hindsight, it was "a blessing" that Bermuda's success in Group A was hard-fought rather than a breeze as it offered an insight into what losing is like.

"When we thought we were eliminated against Guyana they had a chance to feel what elimination feels like. They understand that if we don't the job that's required technically and tactically and in concentration we could feel that feeling again."

The Under-17s are training four times a week - Monday to Thursday - and are then released to their respective clubs on Fridays and Saturdays. Thompson said this hectic schedule was good preparation for those aspiring to a professional career in the sport.

"That's no different from what our local hero, Shaun Goater, goes through week in, week out and if you ask these (Under-17) players what they would like to be, the No.1 answer tends to be a professional footballer.

"If that's the case then they must get used to what a professional footballer goes through, training every day."

Thompson disclosed that training is carefully geared to avoid the possibility of burn-out and to ensure that each player can perform at his optimal level. Attention is also being paid to nutrition to ensure high-energy performance. This includes the provision of additional supplements for players, he said.

Persons wishing more information about the charter flight to Cuba can call Victory Charters at 292-2014 or e-mail them at victorycharteribl.bm or call David Sabir at the BFA Office on 295-2199.