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Do or die warns Nusum

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Trinidad coach Otto Psfister (centre) puts the Soca Warriors players through their paces in a training session at the National Sports Centre yesterday.

John Barry Nusum has warned Bermuda they will be “writing their own death sentence” if they lose to Trinidad at the National Sports Centre tonight.Bermuda must top Group B to advance to the next round of the World Cup qualifiers but are already six points behind their opponents who won both of their opening matches.With their campaign hanging on the precipice, Nusum is urging his team-mates to adopt a win or bust mentality and admits even a draw would be akin to driving the first nail in their coffin.“A win is all that matters right now because to lose will be like writing our death sentence,” he said. “We simply have to win, that’s the bottom line so we’re certainly not looking for a draw.“We were a little disappointed to lose the first two games and when you lose you just can’t wait for the next match to come. We’ve been looking forward to this one for a while and hopefully we can get a good result.”Without their key triumvirate of Kenwyne Jones, Carlos Edwards and Chris Birchall, Trinidad’s team will take on a slightly different complexion to the one that beat Bermuda 1-0 in Port of Spain last month.Nusum, however, reckons the side Bermuda will face tonight will be even hungrier without that experienced trio with their replacements sure to be striving to impress coach Otto Psfister.“You can’t replace those guys but at the same time there will be some hungry new guys looking to show they belong in the team,” said the ex-Philadelphia Kixx professional.“It’s a double-edge sword, I really don’t think we can say they’re a weaker side just because they’re missing those players. The guys coming in will be even more hungry than the players Trinidad are missing, to be honest.”Nusum’s finest performance in a Bermuda jersey arguably came against Trinidad when he struck a double salvo in a memorable 2-1 away victory more than three years’ ago.Ironically, the big striker could find himself preventing goals rather than scoring them tonight, with coach Devarr Boyles believed to be considering playing the 30-year-old as a centre-half in the absence of the injured Roger Lee.Regardless of where he is deployed, Nusum will be sure to give a typically all-action performance in what could be one of his final appearances for Bermuda.“It’s funny thinking about (the end of my playing career) now as opposed to eight or even four years ago,” said Nusum, who almost quit the game altogether following a serious knee injury.“There are a lot of good youngsters in the squad and it’s a beautiful thing to see them coming through.”Bermuda’s top all-time goalscorer in World Cup football, isn’t too concerned about adding to his tally before he hangs up his boots. He said he was simply focusing on helping keeping his country’s qualifying dream alive.“If I add to my tally hopefully it will mean we’re in a position to win the game,” said Nusum, who coaches First Division Wolves.“One day someone else will come along and score more World Cup goals than me anyway. If we get the win then I’ll have a happy weekend, that’s for sure.”For tickets visit www.bermudafa.com. Prices are as follows: Grandstand $25; general seating $15; children under-12 (general seating) $10, seniors (general seating $10).Tickets will also be on sale from 5 pm onwards at the Ruth Seaton James Centre at CedarBridge Academy.Tonight’s game kicks off at 8 pm.

John Barry Nusum takes time out during at training session at the National Sports Centre earlier week. The Bermuda talisman has warned his team-mates tomorrow's World Cup qualifier against Trinidad is must-win match.