Defending champions Fruta Conquerors take on Net Rockers in the feature game which begins at 8 pm. In the supporting event Milerock clash with Swiss House Victoria Kings.

Conquerors will limp into this evening's feature game against Net Rockers as two key players will be absent.

Striker Anthony `Awo' Abrams and national midfielder Neil Hernandes are on professional contracts in Suriname and will miss Conqueror's first game against Net Rockers in the 14-year history of the competition.

However, despite fielding a depleted team for this evening's contest, coach Dereck `Slight' Whyte promises a very tough game for Net Rockers.

"We are a depleted stock but we have been doing well with what we have. We are not in the habit of taking any team lightly. This is the Kashif and Shanghai competition and all the teams in this tournament are a serious threat. We will be taking it one game at a time and hope that what we do is enough to get us through," Whyte said.

Conquerors will start today's game with the memory of the 1996 competition fresh in their minds. Then, defending champions Beacon were sent packing by BV/Triumph in their first game of the tournament.

"I know that it will not be an easy game. I have told the fellas that the first game means everything to us. Net Rockers will have the home ground advantage but I think that we are prepared and ready for the task ahead," Whyte, a former national coach added.

"We played Net Rockers twice in the Federation Cup competition and defeated them both times. This will be the first time that we will be playing them in the Kashif and Shanghai competition."

Former national Under-17 captain Kanata Mannings and midfield `Energiser' Alton `Aji Man' Fraser have been drafted into Conquerors as guest players.

The Conquerors team will come from: Lester Peters (captain), Leebert Stephenson, Leon Bailey, Neville Stanton, Lennox Charles, Walter `Boyd' Moore, Sherman David, Sherwin Scott, Gerald Grittens, Clifford Jones, Chaves Hescott, Elroy Parks, Kanata Mannings, Alton Fraser, Adrian Briggs, Delon Williams, Devon Forde, Dexter Bentick and Daniel Favourite.

Net Rockers, finalists in 2000, will be captained by Dwayne Douglas. Steve `Ginger Brown' Lancaster in the sweeper-back and Matthew `Assassin' Pollard, Adrian Reid and Orlando Carew will assist.

In the supporting game scheduled to commence at 6 pm, former champions Victoria Kings and Milerock clash for a quarter-final position.

Two-time champions, Milerock, will be without the service of their `backbone' Randolph `Blackhead' Jerome for the opening game. Jerome is on professional duty with North East Star in the Trinidad and Tobago league.

Coach Kenrick O'Donoghue revealed that Milerock is now a very youthful side and should pose a bundle of problems for Kings. National Under-23s Travis Waterton and Fidel Smith are included in the side which will be captained by Marlon Maxius.

"We have full confidence that we will get around Victoria Kings," the former national midfielder said. Milerock's strike line will be shared by Rawle `Bony' Gittens and Sheldon Harvey.