Select coach Burkhard Ziese is undecided on his starting team for tonight's match against the United States `B' team at the National Stadium (8.00).

Or at least that is what he is saying, just in case the Americans might have scrutinised one of two of the Bermuda players.

The Bermuda Football Association's new Technical Director of Coaching put the team through their last two training sessions yesterday when Goater and Lightbourne joined the team for the first time, having arrived late on Sunday from England.

There are some minor injuries but Ziese has a full squad to select from when he takes control of a Bermuda team for the first time.

"With the short period we've had I think we've done quite well,'' said Ziese in reference to the build-up to the match. "In the six training sessions we've had I think we are prepared.'' When asked what he would be more pleased with, a good result or good performance, Ziese replied: "The best would be a good performance and result but at the end of the day the result is what matters.

"There is no coach in the world who has ever been sacked because of good results.'' Ziese has been in Bermuda just two-and-a-half months, but has quickly become familiar with the Island's players, from seeing a minimum of four junior and senior matches a week. So familiar, in fact, that he put the squad together himself.

He was surprised to learn on Saturday that only four players remain from the World Cup campaign just 18 months ago.

"I'm not concerned about history,'' he said.

Ziese has quickly shown himself to be a disciplinarian in his short time on the Island, with the omission of the North Village pair Dwayne Adams and Kentoine Jennings being clear examples of his reluctance to make exceptions.

Even the choice of captain will be delayed until this afternoon as Ziese uses a unique method to announce his team to the players.

"The team meeting will be done in a different way,'' he disclosed. "I'll call all the defenders together with the goalkeepers, then the midfielders and then the front players to tell them who's playing. It's easier to talk to four or five players at a time.'' In the 4-3-3 formation, Paul Cann, another survivor from the 1992 World Cup squad, is likely to partner Goater and Lightbourne up front.

Goater has hit form at the right time, following up a goal as a substitute 10 days ago with both goals on Saturday when he regained his spot in the Rotherham team and scored in the 53rd and 56th minutes in a 2-1 win at Blackpool.

Lightbourne set up Walsall's goal as they won 1-0 at Hereford.

"I have heard the horror story about them bringing home their two guns from the UK, so obviously they are taking the game very seriously,'' said US head coach John Ellinger.

The Americans will be taking the game serious themselves, especially with the sport in the States being boosted by the World Cup.

"A lot of the players are geared up for the games,'' said the coach. "A lot of the faces you should see when we begin qualifying for the 1998 World Cup.'' Tonight's match will be preceded by an under 19 match between Bermuda and Silver Lakes (6.00) in the Lanzera Youth Tournament, which opened last night.

AT THE READY -- The United States B team zone in on coach John Ellinger, background right, during a training session on Sunday at National Stadium.