Judging by the charged atmosphere during last night’s practice session at the National Sports Centre (NSC), spirits are running high among Bermuda’s senior national football team.

And for good reason.

Bermuda depart for Barbados on Friday to compete in the second round of the Digicel Cup with their chances of advancing to next January’s finals in Trinidad and Tobago just as good as any of the Caribbean opponents they will face.

The Island’s national team begin their bid against St.Vincent & the Grenadines on Sunday in St.Michael’s before facing against Bahamas and hosts Barbados on November 21 and 23 at the same venue.

The top two teams in the group will automatically qualify for the finals, while the third placed team will play in a play-off for the right to qualify for January’s finals in Trinidad.

On paper Bermuda have again assembled the creme de la creme of domestic football blended with overseas-based professionals and collegian players, most notably among the group John Barry Nusum, Khano Smith and Damon Ming.

And while fitness, execution and commitment will again be central to the team’s chances for success, Bermuda Football Association (BFA) technical committee chairman Mark Trott believes the team’s mental application and maturity will also be a key factors in the Caribbean.

“I think that’s going to be our biggest challenge because nobody is going to step onto the pitch and give away anything. So the big difference is going to be the mental application,” Trott told The Royal Gazette <$>as he observed the squad being put through its paces last night at the Sports Centre.

“We know the players have ability, but they will also have to display lots of character — especially in situations when the chips are down. That’s when you really require that extra something that could make all the difference. They will have to be able to rise to meet the challenge because it’s not going to be easy.”

Having accompanied numerous local squads on tours to the Caribbean in the past, Trott is well aware of the conditions and surroundings in Barbados.

And although the long-serving BFA executive reckons the heat could be an obstacle, he’s also confident the players will make the necessary adjustments.

“The conditions will be very much to our liking and our games will be played in the evenings,” he added. “It may be a bit hot initially, but I’m sure the guys will acclimatise to the conditions.”

Trott admitted, though, that having to play three matches inside five days will be among the biggest challenges the side will face in the Caribbean next week.

“We won’t have much time to breathe . . . first we play St. Vincent and when you look again we’re going to be playing against Bahamas and then Barbados,” he said.

“Things are going to come fast and furious and I think all of the teams are going to be tough because everybody wants the same thing. Everyone realises that four teams from the CONCACAF region will qualify for the Gold Cup. And so this will give them that extra incentive to do well.”

And for Bermuda to succeed, the team will have to be 100 percent committed to the cause, Trott said.

“The camaraderie is really strong and everyone seems to be gelling very well. And I think this is because the players now realise how close they are to actually qualifying for the big dance,” he added.

“This is a really good opportunity for them and the country as a whole. And at the end of the day it’s all up to them to take advantage of the situation. And we can’t take anybody for granted or think we are going to succeed without putting in the effort because this is for all of the marbles now.”