Bermuda striker Tehvan Tyrell is looking to force his way back into Kyle Lightbourne’s starting XI for today’s win-or-bust clash with host nation Costa Rica at the Concacaf Under-20 Championship.

The towering Ilkeston player lost his starting role following a lukewarm performance in Bermuda’s tournament opener against Trinidad and Tobago last Sunday, in which he missed a glaring opportunity.

“I wasn’t too happy with my first performance and that caused me to be put on the bench,” Tyrell said.

“But that’s just made me hungrier and it is set up for me to go and score and take us to the next round.

“That’s what I’m trying to do, keep us here as long as we can be and make history.”

The striker was an unused substitute during Bermuda’s 3-1 defeat by unbeaten group C leaders El Salvador on Wednesday.

“That hurt me mostly because we lost and the fact I couldn’t help made it more hapless — and being hapless is not a nice feeling,” Tyrell said. “You are just sitting there wanting to help, but you can’t do anything. I was just hoping that they could get the victory, because I have faith in every one of these players.

“Everybody was hurt and a couple of players were even crying because it means that much to us. We feel we have a genuine chance and we deserve to be here and belong to be in the World Cup.

“I think we had the right game plan against El Salvador. We just got let down in key moments in the game, letting in a sloppy goal early and then missing a chance to go 1-1 and then they score two quick goals.

“But that’s football. We are just trying not to make those same mistakes, try and stick to the game plan and play smarter with more heart.”

Bermuda are in a three-way battle for the remaining spot in the group for the second phase, along with Trinidad and Costa Rica and must win against the host country today to keep their 2017 World Cup qualifying bid alive.

“This is the biggest game of our lives and we want it more than anything,” Tyrell said. “We have to go out there and win — it’s as simple as that.

“We know it is do or die and this match will probably define Bermuda football for the coming years.

“We have come this far and have a lot to be proud of, but we have our own ambition of showing the world what this generation of footballers is capable of.

“We want to win and take the country to new heights. That’s what our generation and this group of players feel we should be doing — and I love it.”