TT off to Germany... tears with a difference

But this time things took a different turn, as the tears were those of joy as Trinidad and Tobago became one of the smallest countries ever to qualify for a World Cup final in Germany next year. And two players who must have savoured Trinidad and Tobago football Warriors victory more than any other, two who felt the pangs of that "so near and yet so far defeat" by the United States.

Yes, Dwight Yorke and Russell Latapy were those in tears in 1989 mere young men then, now veterans.

Yorke and Latapy rejoined the national team after announcing their retirement in 2001. It was the Tobago-born ex-crab catcher who wore the captain’s armband in yesterday’s game, and it was his corner kick which Dennis "Tallest" Lawrence headed into the net to put Trinidad and Tobago firmly among the other 31 teams for next year’s world soccer extravaganza in the now unified Germany.