for Bermuda's next two matches because both Albert Caisey's and Voorhees Astwood's affiliation with the Seventh Day Adventist faith makes them doubtful for the clashes with the United States and Antigua, which take place on Saturday evenings.

Both players have confirmed their availability for the trip to Norfolk, Virginia, on Friday for the friendly match with the United States Olympic team on Saturday evening but are certain to miss the second match against Antigua on July 4.

This weekend's match starts at 8 p.m. Virginia time, about a half-hour after sunset when the Sabbath officially ends. That should give the pair time to observe the ending of the Sabbath but when Bermuda meet Antigua in their return leg of the World Cup qualifier on July 4 both players will be ruled out because by the time the match begins at 8 p.m. the Sabbath will not have ended. Yesterday, sunset was listed at 8.28 and it will be even later in the next couple of weeks.

Caisey, who only regained his place in the team in Antigua on Sunday after Astwood held the spot for four matches, said yesterday both players will stand together in their decision.

"If I make a move in a spiritual sense he's going to follow it through.

Whatever we do we will do together,'' said Caisey. "When we're on tour we put in time together and even get to go to church. In Antigua we had a bible study on our own. There is nothing like serving Christ on the Sabbath. The rest day I have come to know and appreciate.'' Caisey admitted playing so close to the ending of the Sabbath has its problems. He also said he would understand if manager Darrell used this match to begin looking at his replacement for the Antigua return match in Bermuda.

"Gary knows we're not going to play in the second match against Antigua,'' Caisey said. "It would be wise that he takes the player he decides to play on that day.'' As the team will begin preparing for the United States match before Sabbath ends Caisey admits he does not know how he will prepare. "I won't be serving Christ as I should be,'' he said. "My changing up is no different from actually playing.'' Caisey added: "I would rather not go but if Gary has put my name down to go and play I will go.'' Manager Darrell said in Antigua on the weekend that he could look to former captain Albert Smith or the versatile Neil Paynter to fill the left-back position.

Paynter, a senior at Old Dominion University, was unavailable for the Antigua trip because of final exams though he should be available for the match at his college.

Another Old Dominion senior, Paul Cann, will likely stay in Virginia after travelling with the team this weekend as he has to be back in school by June 29 to prepare for final exams. He has said he should be available for the match on July 4.

One player sure to miss the Virginia trip is defender Dennis Brown who is vacationing in Europe with his wife, having left the team in New York on Monday on the way back from Antigua.

KEEPING THE FAITH -- Voorhees Astwood (14) and team-mate Albert Caisey will be unavailable for the second leg against Antigua.