With Olympic soccer qualifying matches expected to be played in the United States next March, Bermuda's director of coaching Clyde Best is anxious to launch a training programme for the Island's under-23 squad.

Bermuda will be placed in a four-team group which will include countries from the Caribbean and Central America. United States, the hosts, have been given a bye.

Top team in that initial group will then advance to another qualifying group, including the USA, from which the winners will travel to the Olympics in Australia next September.

Best remains confident that Bermuda can put on a good show, pointing to a number of promising youngsters such as college students Joey Rego, John Barry Nusum, Kofi Dill, Sullivan Phillips, Blenn Bean, Damon Ming, Nigel Burgess and Jay Smith, as well as players currently playing locally like Tokia Russell, Chae Simmons, Lanario Simmons, Stephen Astwood, Kuma Smith and Tori Davis.

"We've got potential, it's just a matter of preparation,'' said Best who recognises the importance of an intense training programme.

"I often say that in Bermuda we never give our athletes a chance because of preparation. In order to get over the top you have to prepare properly. But if you can't prepare properly, don't even bother going. Preparation is the key.'' Many of the under-23 squad players are regulars in the Premier Division, with some already having advanced onto the senior national team.

"This team is a very good team when you look at the names on the list,'' said Best.

The following players have been asked to attend a training session on Saturday morning at 9.30 at Warwick Academy as well as a meeting on Monday at the BFA office at 5.30: Jason Smith, Jamel Lovell, Tori Davis, John Barry Nusum, Mike Williams, Sean Simmons, Nigel Burgess, Jermaine Aberdeen, Kaiwon Dill, Chae Simmons, Dawud Tucker, Dennis Zuill, Robert Samuels, Damon Ming, Sekai Waldron, Kevin Hurdle, Jahmiko Marshall, Mike Dill, Joey Rego, Corey Dowling, McLee Smith, Clevon Hill, Jemeiko Jennings, Jamaul Boyles, Kuma Smith, Kwame Steede, Tokia Russell, Mel Gibbons, Blenn Bean, Jahmel Samuels, Randy Swan, Heys Wolffe, Lanario Simmons, Jamal Warren, Stephen Astwood, Jay Smith, Sullivan Phillips, Kofi Dill, Ralph Bean Jr, Jelani Scott, David Thomas, Vernon Phillips, Rohaan Simons, Keith Jennings.