announcement that they are unlikely to compete in the two-leg qualifying match against Costa Rica because of a shortage of funds.

At training on Wednesday evening at Warwick Academy just 12 players in the squad of 20 attended.

And although they showed surprising enthusiasm under the guidance of coach Mark Trott, there was clear concern that their efforts might all come to nothing.

"It's a matter of trying to make the best out of a bad situation,'' said one parent who was still hopeful the match against Costa Rica could be salvaged.

Coach Trott and the players would not be drawn into giving an official response to the depressing news they received from the BFA last Friday.

But the parent, who didn't wish to be named, said he felt the squad's withdrawal from the Olympics was unfair to both Trott and the players who have been training for the past two months.

"It's terrible. How can the BFA tell our youngsters something like this after they have worked so hard. It's amazing how those who are here remain so committed.

"It's also unfair if sponsors are pulling out because of the Miami incident.

That was the Under-23 team, this is the Olympic team and many of these players are younger and didn't even travel with the Under-23s.'' Trott wasn't apparently too concerned about Wednesday's low turn-out as some players were on Bermuda Regiment duty. But a better indication of how the announcement has affected morale should be gleaned from the turn-out for today's practice match against Somerset Trojans. The game kicks off at Warwick Academy at 6.45 p.m.

Yesterday, the BFA were still remaining silent on the matter some three days after The Royal Gazette revealed exclusively that the squad was on the verge of being withdrawn. The BFA had indicated a press conference would be held to present the Association's official position.

BFA secretary general David Sabir was not available for comment yesterday but Gladwyn Bean, chairman of the coaching committee, confirmed that the squad would remain in training until "the situation had been sorted out''.

"Most of them seemed to appreciate the situation we are in and plans are to have the team continue to train until a formal decision has been made,'' said Bean.

Meanwhile, the BFA's new coaching committee headed by Bean got a positive response from local coaches on Tuesday evening when 27 turned out to a meeting called by the BFA at Social Club.

"There were no real concerns expressed by the coaches. The meeting was really designed to give the committee a chance to let them know about our intentions,'' said Bean.

NATIONAL soccer coach Mark Trott points the way during Wednesday's training session with the Olympic squad, but nobody appears to know in which direction they are heading.