UNBEATEN in their last four international matches – not bad!

But stretching that streak to five is what really matters for national football team coach Kenny Thompson.

He, his extensive backroom staff and, more importantly, the players must realise the job isn't even half done.

Let's not forget that in between a home draw against Cayman Islands, an away victory against the same team, and two encouraging victories on home soil against Barbados, came a 4-0 thrashing by a Chelsea youth/reserve side, a game which obviously couldn't be considered an 'international.'

Nevertheless, there's no doubting that the national team are now playing much better than they have for many years and going into this Sunday's World Cup qualifier against Trinidad, the players will be able to step onto the pitch with a belief that they can come away with a result.

A win, a draw, a narrow defeat or, even better, a narrow defeat with an 'away' goal, would give them every chance to complete what would be one of the biggest upsets in Caribbean football in recent memory when the sides meet again a week later in the second leg at the National Sports Centre.

What has been impressive about Bermuda's performances since Thompson and technical director Derek Broadley, as well as Gary Darrell, Richard Todd and Fulham goalkeeping coach Vic Bettinelli, came on board is that the team have improved in every game . . . culminating with Monday's 3-0 thumping of Barbados, who must now face the USA in their own World Cup qualifier knowing that it's only a case of damage limitation.

It was just a few weeks' ago that Bermuda were accused of playing a completely ineffective game which consisted of pretty passing moves inside their own half, which often led to mistakes and an early deficit.

The threat up front was barely noticeable.

Judging from Monday's performance, that appears to have changed. The players seem to have heeded the coaches' advice that you can't win matches by playing in your own half – you have to take more chances.

It's an old cliche, but attack is often the best form of defence.

When was the last time a Bermuda national team scored three goals in the first half? Yet by doing that on Monday, they completely took the game out of their opponents' reach.

While Bermuda have improved, nobody will expect them to beat Trinidad, despite the fact that the Soca Warriors aren't quite the same team whose fairytale run four years ago saw them become the smallest country ever to qualify for a World Cup finals.

Last weekend they drew with neighbours Jamaica 1-1, a decent result but one which won't have instilled a great deal of confidence as they prepare for this Sunday's game.

Certainly they won't be taking Bermuda likely.

As huge underdogs, Bermuda have nothing to lose.

Should the Gombeys draw first blood, who knows what could happen.

After all, the game has seen much bigger upsets, both in the World Cup and, in particular, in the birthplace of the game.

Three come immediately to mind – England failing to qualify for the current Euro Championships thanks to a home defeat by Croatia, Cardiff City making their way to the FA Cup final and, perhaps the most surprising of all, highly unfashionable Hull City booking a place in what is considered the toughest league in the world, the English Premier League.

Can Bermuda put their names on that list of giant-killers?

Why not?

– ADRIAN ROBSON