WORLD CUP 2006
Trinidad & Tobago

Introduction

Everald “Gally” Cummings, a former Trinidad & Tobago star player, was viewed as a pleasing oddity among his team-mates when he plied his trade in the cosmopolitan North American Soccer League in the 1970s.

The creative midfielder had quick feet, a sure touch and the ability to dance around defenders, which convinced colleagues that his background was South American. On another day, though, Cummings would exhibit the physical strength, appetite for the tackle and eye for an early long ball that, they felt, suggested European schooling.

The all-round ability of Trinidad & Tobago’s top players is their most impressive asset. The likes of Cummings and, from the present squad, Dwight Yorke, Stern John and Carlos Edwards, have the technique, strength and poise to succeed in any part of the globe. It is fitting that the tiny twin-island republic, a former British colony that lies just off the South American mainland, should be able to produce players that combine what are traditionally regarded as European and Latin qualities.

But the team as a whole have often suffered because of poor concentration, a slow transition from attack to defence, and a tendency to lose shape under pressure.

National coach Leo Beenhakker has greatly improved matters by adjusting the tactics, but it is his psychological input that has made the biggest impression on the team. The experienced Dutchman, who replaced local coach Bertille St Clair in April 2005, immediately laid down the gauntlet by omitting talented players who, he felt, lacked the drive to decide matches. As a result, his squad grew steadily in character, if not class.

The present Soca Warriors are not as attractive to watch as the 1989 Strike Squad, or as potent offensively as the 1973 Classic Team, but their blend of experience and determination is unparalleled, and there is an appreciable balance within the ranks.
Those qualities were sufficient to allow T&T to overcome a poor start to the final qualifying round – one point from three matches – and book their first World Cup finals berth by winning a play-off against Bahrain.

Now, the fans want a second round spot in Germany, while FIFA vice-president and T&T federation special adviser Jack Warner has demanded the scalp of the formidable England team in the group stage. Warner, a controversial figure, was censured by FIFA earlier this year for diverting the nation’s World Cup tickets to his private company. But his oft-repeated statements about England’s supposed shortcomings have definitely boosted the confidence of T&T’s supporters.

In truth, though, the Soca Warriors would be fortunate to get more than an honourable mention in Germany. Caribbean rivals Jamaica won their final group fixture at the 1998 World Cup, but then the Reggae Boyz had the good fortune to be drawn with two fellow debutants, Croatia and Japan.

T&T, on the other hand, tackle three nations (England, Sweden and Paraguay) vastly more experienced in such top international competitions and who rarely exit before the round of 16.

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