The undisputed kings of samba football have arrived!

And make no mistake about it . . . the 17 touring members of Santos B team that arrived on the Island late yesterday afternoon do not intend to take their hosts lightly ? according to former Santos and Brazilian International left winger and current team coach Abel Veronico.

?This is a very important international tour for us and our country. We are taking this tour very serious because we are representing Santos ? two time champions of Brazil,? explained Veronico, who played alongside legendary striker Pele during a six-year career at Santos before playing professionally in Mexico.

Santos arrived safely from Atlanta on Delta Airlines after leaving Brazil at 1 a.m. yesterday morning with a touring entourage consisting of 17 players with an average age of 20 and six team officials, including coach Veronico.

Santos B team are the current cup champions of San Paulo.

?This will be a good opportunity for our players to learn more about the region. Our top team is still in Brazil and this is our B team who are the current champions of Sao Paulo,? the coach continued.

? We don?t call this team our reserve team because when we return to Brazil maybe two or three of the players on this team will join the top team. But the public here in Bermuda can expect to see some good attacking football and hopefully we can deliver true Brazilian style football.?

Among the squad of 17 players, Veronico singled out the likes of defender Nadson, midfielder Renato and striker Geilson as players for the local football public to be on the lookout for during the three-match series.

Veronico, who represented Brazil in a full-International against arch-rivals Hungary at the Pacaembu Stadium in San Paulo in 1965, played for Santos from 1965 to 1971 before moving on to Mexican side Atlas.

In addition to playing alongside the legendary Pele, Veronico also enjoyed the honourable distinction of suiting up with other Brazilian legends Carlos Alberto, Rivelino and ?keeper Felix.

He added: ?It is a little cold here at the moment, but the weather won?t affect us.?

As to his playing days at Santos alongside Pele, the diminutive coach recalled: ?It was absolutely fantastic. It was really an unbelievable dream to play alongside Pele. We made a good combination together.?

Santos begin their brief three-match tour of the Island tomorrow at the National Sports Centre against the Island?s senior national team.

Santos full touring party: Saulo, Helio, Thiago, Ze? Leandro, Renato, Nadson, Geilson, Cadu, Felipe, Vinicius, Lucas, Roni, Diego, Welder, Junior, Edmilson, Bruno. Team officials: Capela (director), Nivaldo (assistant director), Abel (coach), Dr.Rodrigo (medic), Marco (physical coach), Omar (goalkeeper coach).