Sad TT fans say

THE MOOD yesterday at Harvard Club after the crucial World Cup football match between England and Trinidad and Tobago was one of celebration tinged with a touch of sadness.

The general feeling though was that the Soca Warriors may have been beaten 2-0 by the English Lions, but they were certainly not disgraced.

From about 11.45 am, when the build-up to the match was being aired on television, there was an air of excitement that pervaded the club. Any shot of “Trinis” on the tube in Germany brought applause from the packed Harvard Club. But the loudest cheers were reserved for national coach Leo Beenhakker, even over shots of captain Dwight Yorke and goalkeeper Shaka Hislop as they got onto the field.

But the first Hislop save had the crowd on its feet. Then later, when TT won its first corner, patrons started a hyped-up chant of the Soca Warriors song “Fighter.” At the end of the first half, thunderous applause erupted after TT gave more than a credible display on the field, holding England goalless at the half.

Newsday caught up with German Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago Dr Helmut Ohlraun at halftime and he expressed surprise that the Soca Warriors’ defence was so strong. He recalled the defence being a problem for TT in the World Cup qualifiers, but the first half of yesterday’s game reminded him of the defence they put up against Sweden in the opening World Cup match. When asked to predict the score at the end of the game, Dr Ohlraun said “one - nil,” but he declined to say in whose favour.

As the second half of the game got underway, there were pockets of dissent in the club given the number of yellow cards issued by the referee to the Warriors. Then, in the 71st minute with TT holding on, chants of “TT we want a goal” and “Fighter” filled the club. Shortly after, the first telling save by Hislop from a Frank Lampard shot increased the cheers from the audience.

But, after the first goal by England’s Peter Crouch in the 85th minute, patrons were anxiously calling for Russell Latapy to take the field. That did not happen and England went on to score another goal.

When Stern John scored late in the game, the club erupted in joyous celebrations only to see the lines man signal an off-side goal. This prompted jeers from the crowd.

At the end of it all, the 2-0 victory by England didn’t stop the crowd from applauding the Warriors for their courageous effort.

Patrons sang “Fighter” even louder after the match. Dancing followed, with the DJ playing various songs in support of the Warriors and patrons vowing their unwavering support for the team.