The Dutch Connection

This was the unadulterated opinion of Trinidad and Tobago football coach Leo Beenhakker. And he should know.

The straight-talking Dutchman is one of four coaches accompanying teams at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the highest representation at that level.

The others are Guus Hiddink of the Australian team, Marco van Basten of the Netherlands and Dick Advocaat of South Korea.

And along with Beenhakker all are exploying their fellow countrymen as assistants to spread their infectious brand of total football throughout the world with great success.

Beenhakker arrived in Nuremberg with the Trinidad and Tobago Soca Warriors yesterday on a special Lufthansa flight from Rotenburg, the team`s training camp in northern Germany.

He said that there are about 40 Dutch coaches assiociated with the biggest teams in Europe campaigning in the Bundesliga, Serie A, and French Leagues and of course in the Netherlands.

“They are very good and are doing much for the game. It shows that the Dutch approach is having a great impact worldwide,” said Beenhakker.

Beenhakker has been widely credited for helping the Soca Warriors qualify for their first ever World Cup Finals taking over the team which was languishing at the bottom of the CONCACAF table nearly midway in the campaign.

Beenhakker has been able to combine the disparate and independent talents of the players, the majority of whom play in the United Kingdom and mould them into a unit capable of winning and playing at the highest level.

And he readily identifies with the free-spirited nature and laid-back style of his players which he also thinks is important in their preparation for matches in the World Cup Finals.

On the eve of the nation’s biggest game, he defended his decision to give his players a 24-hour break from football from midday Sunday.

Several of the footballers were seen in Goterburg as the city organised Trinidad and Tobago Day which featured a cultural presentation involving soca music and appearances by Iwer George and Chris Garcia.

The team is based in Rotenburg which is close to the Dutch border and the North Sea.

“Football is not only about the game. There must be a recovery period and you must be able to handle the stress the players face in a high-powered situation,” said Beenhakker.

He said he had every confidence that his players are responsible and would act as professionals and not be allowed to get distracted from the task at hand.

He also debunked the Olympic ideal which emphasises that participation in sports is more important that achieving success.

“We are here to play good football and win,” Beenhakker said. “The players have been told that they have every right to defend themselves and to do all within their ability to defeat their opponents. They know this very well.”