Warriors fought like champions

WIDESPREAD CELEBRATIONS erupted from Chaguaramas to St James yesterday following the courageous battle waged by the Soca Warriors against England in their World Cup match in Nuremberg, Germany.

While many fans were saddened to see the Warriors lose 2-0, all were proud about their performance against the Three Lions and confident of victory over Paraguay in Kaiserslautern next Tuesday. From as early as 9 am, several Warriors fans began assembling at Pier I in Chaguaramas for a World Cup all-inclusive lime hosted there by Angostura. As they waited for the kick-off, the house DJ kept the fans primed and ready for the match with a slew of Soca Warriors tunes including the team’s official anthem, Maximus Dan’s “Fighter.”

Cheers went up as footage of the Warriors preparing to take the field flashed across the huge screen in front of patrons and several smaller TV screens strategically placed throughout the club.

More cheers followed as TT captain Dwight Yorke was reunited with his opposite number and former Manchester United team-mate David Beckham.

From the kick-off to half-time, the nerves of fans were stretched to the limit as England mounted a series of attacks against the TT goal. The tension was eased slightly and lusty cheers filled Pier I as goalkeeper Shaka Hislop, the bedrock of the Warriors’ defence in Dortmund against Sweden last week, held firm to the ball after an England attack was broken up.

The fans were singing enthusiastically as the second half drew to a close and all believed TT was on the verge of the biggest World Cup shockers of all time. However, they were stunned in the 83rd minute as Crouch breached the TT defence and headed past Hislop.

The fans however shook off their stupor and continued to urge the Warriors on. Even England’s second goal from Gerrard did not discourage the fans who kept urging TT on.

Wild celebrations erupted when John side-footed the ball past England goalkeeper Paul Robinson to grab a consolation for TT. However jaws dropped to the floor one minute later as the referee ruled the goal was offside.

While some people were in tears at the end of the game, the mood of the fans was festive as the post-match party kicked off.