Vasco da Gama as the guaranteed-sure-thing-no-doubt-about-it-mail-in-the-points team to beat in the First Division.

A line-up that was even stronger than the one that captured the league and FA Cup crowns the previous year did nothing to discourage the notion and neither did a 7-0 season-opening win over St. George's.

Over the next six months, however, the only thing predictable about Vasco was their unpredictability. In the end, there were no trophies to add to the club's Reid Street headquarters and the season of promise was beset by internal squabbles, including one particularly memorable row between team-mates after a game.

Fast forward to 1997. John Rebello, despite rampant speculation that last year would be his last, is still coach. The team, despite rumours of a mass exodus of players, is still intact. And Vasco, despite reports of their demise, are again probably the team to beat.

Few people are saying it out loud, however, least off all Rebello, who isn't prone to bragadoccio in the first place. But the lesson of last year appears to have been learned if Wednesday's 1-1 draw against Southampton Rangers in the opening match of the Martonmere Cup is any indication.

"The players were over-confident last year,'' Rebello said. "They felt they were above the game and you can't have that attitude and play winning football.'' Eight players have transferred out, only three of whom could be classified as key -- Corey Hill, Irving Burgess and Shawn Smith -- and of those, only Smith will be missed.

But don't cry for Vasco. Rather than sitting still, they went out and nabbed the likes of Meshach Wade, Keith Jennings, Ottis Steede and Ascento Russell.

The latter two were arguably the top players for PHC and Rangers, respectively, a year ago.

These additions will solve another of last year's weaknesses: Depth. For instance Sammy Swan, the team's leading goalscorer last season ago, is a substitute -- and assistant coach this year.

With all of the strife last year it's easy to forget that Vasco were the second-place team, finishing only behind surprising Devonshire Colts in the standings. They had the fewest league losses of any team -- just two in 18 starts -- and scored the most goals of any team but Colts.

And the players that are back are some of the best: Goalkeeper Timmy Figueiredo, forward Russell and midfielder Kentoine Jennings were all members of the national team that went to Jamaica in the spring. Jennings, the national team skipper, was honoured by the Ministry last year for his contribution to sport.

In fact, eight of last year's starters played on Wednesday.

Still, Rebello is taking a cautious approach: "There's a new nucleus this year,'' he said. "It's going take us time to gel.'' Tonight's scheduled Martonmere Cup action at PHC Stadium has been called off because of problems with the floodlights.

Devonshire Colts, boosted by their Charity Cup triumph over Boulevard a week ago, were due to take on Dandy Town in the 7.00 opener, while in the second match, Southampton Rangers, fresh from a 1-1 draw against Vasco in the opening round on Wednesday, had been pitted against Boulevard.

Both games will now be played on Tuesday at BAA.