Beenhakker not thinking about losing

Two Hundred-odd supporters of Trinidad and Tobago, their minds still on the deflated performance of the national team, and their bodies still in a Caribbean time zone, have made this trip for one reason only, for nothing short of success.

But there is no counting of chickens (or chicklets) this time.

The lessons learnt in 1989 are still vividly present in the hearts and souls of the fans.

A less than encouraging performance at the Hasely Crawford Stadium has only helped to create doubt, but the Dutch coach is in no mood to entertain talk about losing.

That is not part of his vocabulary.

His syllabus as a successful coach had scant respect for losers and he had already communicated such to his players after the dismal showing on Saturday.

The spectators’ corner is skilfully led by members of TSTT, and their electronic skills have made it clear that they will zoom in on any weakness in the Bahrain team, after all Bahrain are sponsored by Batelco.

So there is another telecommunications war on our hand, this time not in cricket but in football.

This one though should be short and not as bitter, and there is no players’ union protesting, rather the players on both sides are benefiting.

Bahrain will be surprised by the level of noise from the Trinidad and Tobago contingent, and there is a hope this could disturb them, because they have not won a competitive World Cup match at home, since March 2005, when they edged North Korea 2-1.

There is a sense of purpose in all these sons and daughters of a nation searching... Searching for peace... Searching for the truth.

Searching for a team, the country can grow and love, just as the 1989 Strike Squad exemplifies so majestically.

It is great to have on this moment in time, a President — His Excellency, The Honourable George Maxwell Richards — who can meet and greet the people.

The President and his wife Dr Jean Richards freely granted an audience to several supporters when we found ourselves at the same location — SEEF MALL.

Their security attaches from the Bahrain Special Forces were naturally a little astonished by the greetings between the President, his wife and several oddly attired persons with weird accents.

The Seef Mall, located in Manama, the capital of Bahrain was one of the well established tourism shopping centres, unlike the streets of downtown Bahrain which resembled Charlotte Street, where there were vendors on street corners plying their trade skilfully if not with tact or decorum.

Lunch at the Rendezvous was different with a mixture of Chinese, Arabian and Indian dishes.

The problem was as usual that some people may have mixed too much of different meals and that could have a lasting effect well into nightfall.

The Bahrain National Stadium where the match is being played is pretty on the outside, but the crowd is almost two athletic tracks (in distance) from the playing field. When we arrived there, David, Leonard and I, we were the first.

English is not very popular in Bahrain, so after walking around for over ten minutes to get directions, we finally found ourselves near the area designated for the royal family.

Already preparations were being made for today, with carpets being measured and cut to size for the King of Bahrain and his large entourage.

The seating arrangements for the fans reminded one of caged animals with a lot of cages all around the stadium, which we were told holds 25,000 by one person, 28,000 by another and even 30,000 by two others.

Importantly the King recognising this has purchased all the tickets for Bahrain residents and is providing free transport to the stadium.

Sounds a bit confusing.

Yes it is.

There is no mention of what happens to those who want to buy tickets from outside of Bahrain or non residents and how many tickets will be available to them.

Also who will control the crowd without tickets to ensure there is not overcrowding or fighting for free space. Can you imagine that mayhem at the Hasely Crawford Stadium?

Let us hope it works out okay.

Bahrain is nervous and it is clear, they are ensuring that the 200 odd supporters with steel band and rhythms sections do not outmanoeuvre them.

But we have a plan to BEAT BAHRAIN (song by Ninja from the Asylum Crew).

It is... (Sorry I can’t tell you yet).