Skipper Kwame Steede is confident Bermuda can progress past Cayman Islands next month and advance in the World Cup qualifiers.

Bermuda drew with the Caymans earlier this month at the National Sports Centre (NSC) and will travel to the Caribbean for the second leg with high hopes of advancing to the next stage.

Steede said there was no reason why Bermuda could not be successful in Caymans' back yard, after a battling performance against New England Revolution earlier this week.

It was a performance that drew rave reviews from Steede, especially after last weekend's dismal showing against the same opposition.

"The difference between the two games is the fact that we came out with intensity," Steede said. "We actually came out to play and worked as a team and showed people that we can compete with a team like the Revolution if we stay focused."

Like many, Steede felt the final scoreline did his team no justice.

"The score doesn't justify the game as a whole", he added. "We were always in the match. We gave up slack goals and in the end the execution of the opportunities in front of goal was the difference. We could have very well won the game".

Kevin Richards, who had a stellar performance marshalling the defence, also thought Bermuda had vastly improved on the 6-1 thrashing at the hands of the Revs last weekend.

"We had good defensive shape, which was our downfall last weekend," he said. "We played as a unit this evening, particularly when defending.

" We closed the gaps between the strikers and defenders to make it as compact as possible. And by doing this we didn't allow New England any opportunities to exploit any gaps we may have had".

Richards said the return of Kenny Thompson to the senior national set-up also had a positive influence on his team's performance.

"Knowing that Kenny is back in the fold is good for the team. Many of the players have been under his guidance before so it is beneficial to all that he is here helping," he said.

Striker Aljame Zuill, who had three golden opportunities to get on the scoresheet, reckoned Bermuda could have beaten the heavily favoured Revs.

"If we had have capitalised on our chances we would be talking about a good victory instead of a hard fought loss," he said.

Zuill was also pleased to see former coach Thompson back in the fold.

"Having Kenny back will be an asset as he has seen all of us play and knows what we are capable of. Now it comes down to the coaching staff to identify what formation to play and who plays where.

"We need to build a structure and from there we can use it as a platform to work on in the future."

Zuill was also pleased to be back on good terms with coach Keith Tucker after the two men had exchanged words during a practice session at the NSC.

"It feels good to be back on the pitch," he added. "Any player would be pleased to represent his country, so I am thankful for the chance."