Keith Tucker is urging supporters to celebrate their patriotism and inspire his players by descending en masse to the National Sports Centre for Bermuda's showdown with St. Kitts and Nevis tonight.

The international friendly launches Tucker's reign and he is adamant the crowd can become the team's '12th man' should they pack the venue to the rafters in a sea of red shirts and flags.

Having not kicked a ball in anger since losing at home to Canada nine months ago, Tucker wants a party atmosphere to engulf the NSC as the national team makes its long-awaited return to the international stage.

"I urge the Bermuda public to come out and support their national team and I believe they will be pleased with what they see," said the coach. "These guys have been working really hard, pushing each other, and they deserve support. I hope to look up to the main stand and see plenty of red shirts and flags.

"I want to see kids jumping up and down, excited because they also want the opportunity to one day wear the jersey and play for their country. Football provides an opportunity for parents and grandparents to support young Bermudians who are involved in something very positive.

"If these players walk out and see the stands packed it would give them such a boost and take their performance to another level."

Tucker admits a packed house could faze a handful of junior members of his 21-man squad, but is confident the experiences gained by his Hogges representatives will prove vital in warding off potential stage fright.

"Playing in front of a crowd can make or break you, but I'm confident because so many of the players have already experienced big crowds playing for the Hogges," he said.

"Obviously the national team has not been active for a while and stage fright would normally be a concern, but because of the Hogges I don't think that will be an issue."

Bermuda enter the clash as clear favourites with St. Kitts and Nevis 22 positions below them in Fifa's world rankings, although they are fresh from a 3-0 win over Antigua and Barbuda last month.

But at this embryonic stage of his stewardship it is the performance that is of paramount importance for Tucker; winning by playing poorly simply will not suffice.

"I'm not overly concerned with the result," said Tucker. "I'm more concerned with seeing us do the right things and consistently. If we win and play poorly then that's no good to me.

"I'm looking at how well these guys play together and communicate. I know people want to see Bermuda win but I'm looking at the bigger picture and that's our World Cup qualifier against the Cayman Islands in February.

"I want to see us beat St. Kitts and Nevis by playing the right brand of football."

Bermuda have suffered a double injury blow with defensive linchpin Omar Shakir and his PHC team-mate Jeff Franklin ruled out of both matches against the Leeward Islanders.

Tucker planned to combine Shakir and Darius Cox in the heart of defence as well as run the rule over Franklin as a holding midfielder. However, Domico Coddington has handed Bermuda a boost with the winger, currently off-Island, available for Sunday's repeat fixture.

Kick-off for tonight's match is 8 p.m and 3 p.m on Sunday.

Bermuda 21-man squad for tonight's match: T.Figureido, J.Williams, N.Burgess, D.Cox, K.Steede (capt.), S.Darrell, C.Robinson, R.Lambe, D.DeGraff, L.Dill, L.Holder, N.Wells, S.Astwood, D.Ming, K.Richards, A.Zuill, M.Waldron, J.Butterfield, J.Davis, J.Ball, K.Bean. Also included for Sunday's match: A.Lowe, T.Burgess, K.Lathan, D.Coddington.