Warriors to cash in on success

This promise was made by CONCACAF president and Special Advisor to the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) Jack Warner yesterday, a day after Trinidad and Tobago defeated Guatemala 3-2 in an exciting match at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.

The FIFA vice-president described the win as "historic," noting that the players "showed guts having to come from a goal down on two occasions."

Warner said the crucial victory was an exhibition of "team focus" when nothing deterred the Warriors from their goal of pulling off a win against Guatemala, to keep the team’s chances alive in the World Cup qualifying race.

The win pushed the Warriors to seven points in the CONCACAF standings, and although they trail the Guatemalans on goal difference, Warner said he is confident that the team will get the required points to take them to Germany.

"All we need is just four more points and we are in," Warner added. His words never sounded more sure, as the United States leapfrogged Mexico for the top spot on the table following a 2-0 victory on Saturday in Ohio.

Trinidad and Tobago’s next opponents are Costa Rica who have also advanced up the standings to ten points, after they defeated Panama in another qualifier on Saturday.

Warner yesterday praised coach Dutchman Leo Beenhakker for his faith in out-of-form striker Stern John.

He said Beenhakker believed in John’s ability when everyone else felt he should have been substituted scoring two goals in quick succession in the dying minutes of the match to snatch victory from the Guatemalans. Earlier Falkirk manager/player Russell Latapy had bamboozled the Guatemalan defence to score the equaliser. Warner however expressed his disappointment at people who do not believe Trinidad and Tobago will qualify for the World Cup.

"There are people in this country who will doubt anything but I hope they will wait and see what happens in the remaining matches," Warner said yesterday.

Meanwhile Assistant Manager of the national team Sam Phillips says while he was elated he feels that the real decider is on Wednesday against Costa Rica in Tegucigalpa.

Phillips is confident the Warriors claim another victory and further enhance their chances of qualifying for the finals. "We played the Costa Ricans here and we really should have won that match by two clear goals and therefore we know what the Costa Ricans have got to offer," Phillips said.

He pointed out though that a loss will be a setback in the remaining matches against Panama in Panama and Mexico at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.

"A win or if not, at least get a point from a draw on Wednesday will keep the dream alive," said Phillips.