Team played well, boast fans

Dancing to Maximus Dan’s “Fighter,” thousands at pubs and bars, were not let down by the defeat.

Although there was initial dejection after the match referee blew the final whistle, the frowns and long faces converted to an afternoon of partying. Many expressed satisfaction that the Soca Warriors had put up a good fight against the English Lions.

Fans in their red, white and black outfits took to the streets blowing whistles, honking horns and waving the national flag. Many danced and pranced to strains of “Ole, ole, ole” or Chris Garcia’s “Deutchland” at corner pubs and bars. At Screamers II, Southland Mall, Cross Crossing, some 4,000 fans had gathered to view the game on a large projection screen.

Leading the chant were members of the La Brea Posse who were optimistic despite the loss. One fan said, “We are taking the loss as a win because England is a favourite to win World Cup 2006. How we played today showed that we are competent in handling in opponent.”

Local fan Jefferson Boodram, who watched the game with his one-week-old son Aidan, told Newsday the Soca Warriors played a strong defensive game to limit the scoreline by the World Cup-experienced England.

“I feel good about the game,” he said. “England could have scored more on us but we did well to hold them down to just two goals in the final minutes of the game.”

Andrew Persadie, of San Fer-nando, was confident that the Soca Warriors, who have one point from two games with one game left to play, will still pull through to the second round.

Persadie said, “We have to focus now on the Paraguay game on Tuesday. Don’t mind we loss today, we still have faith in them.”