Debutant Roger Lee was nowhere to be seen when Bermuda lined up for the national anthems before kick-off against Antigua.

As the first few bars of "God Save the Queen" blasted from a tinny-sounding tannoy system at the Trueman Bodden Sports Complex, the 17-year-old was still sitting in the visitors' dressing room.

"Where the hell's Lee," murmured one reporter from the Grandstand's press box. "Has he forgotten his boots?"

Eventually the surprise starter gingerly emerged and ambled his way to the right back position. He later confessed that a bout of "last minute nerves" was the reason behind his belated appearance.

"That was just butterflies," says Lee. "I was very nervous. I never expected to start and I was pleased just to be in the squad. Kenny (Thompson) gave me a pat on the back and told me I'd be okay."

Along with fellow newcomers Tumani Steede and Casey Castle, Lee is one of the next cycle of talent coming off the national programme's conveyor belt.

He starred for Kentoine Jennings' Under-20s during their World Cup qualifying campaign also held in Cayman last month, but admits that the leap to the senior level is a notable one.

"I've played for the Under-20s before but I was still really nervous about this game. After all, the national team is a different level," said the Somerset Eagles utility man.

"Suddenly I realised I'd be playing alongside some of the guys I've watched from the sidelines since I was small."

Bermuda's Digicel Cup opener against Antigua proved to be a baptism of fire for the youngster who saw plenty of action during the disappointing 4-0 defeat.

While his defensive positioning was tested at times, he was one of only a few players to emerge from the match with any credit. When informed by this reporter that technical director Derek Broadley had praised him during his post-match musings, a smile broke across Lee's boyish face.

"Really, did he say I did okay? Well, that's nice to know. Hopefully I might keep my place for the next game then. Playing the whole 90 minutes against a team like Antigua has given me a lot of confidence. The speed and the size of the players is a lot different.

"The first half we did okay, but we didn't put away our chances. The players were a bit shocked. Nobody expected that result."

Lee, an avid Barcelona supporter, has been in regular contact with his family since he arrived in the Caribbean on Monday.

His father, who he has spoken to every day, had hoped to make the trip to Cayman to watch his son play but has had to shelve those plans with Tropical Storm Gustav set to strike last night. Grand Cayman's sister islands Cayman Brac and Little Cayman were expected to get hit first at mid-day.

The players spent most of yesterday confined to the hotel while they waited for Gustav to make its presence known.

However, the players did manage to enjoy a light-hearted scrimmage game inside the hotel's grounds during the morning.

"It's sure going to be a long day," says Lee, before leaving this reporter's hotel room following yesterday's interview.

"I think I'm going to go back to bed for a sleep."

Bermuda are scheduled to take on St.Martin today with kick-off at 7.30 p.m. (Bermuda time).