TT the spoilers says coach

The Soca Warriors, only the second English-speaking nation to reach a FIFA World Cup Finals, will have no easy ride next summer, when they tackle former colonial masters England, the energetic Sweden, and the unpredictable Paraguay in Group "B."

"This draw is very good and we must go in there and do what we have to do," Beenhakker told the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation website.

"We could spoil it for the others. I like what we got, and I have a squad of players who will love it. We have to be professionals like we have been in the qualifying campaign, and I have no doubt we can do this well. I love it."

Beenhakker was sitting next to fellow Dutchman and Soca Warriors assistant coach Wim Rijsbergen, and manager Bruce Aanensen, along with the rest of the TT delegation in Row 4 before the main stage when it was announced at the Draw in Messe that the two-island republic was placed in Group "B."

A football lob away, a few sections to his left, was TT’s FIFA Vice President and Concacaf boss Jack Warner, a special advisor to the TTFF, instantly looked on with smiles, when he saw his dream of playing against the English come true. "I told you so! Didn’t I tell you so!" he exclaimed following the Draw, when embracing Beenhak-ker. "We shall play England and the others, and we shall be the smallest nation with the biggest passion," he added. The Soca Warriors may now have to consider putting off a proposed training camp in England, and there is also the possibility that the team will be away for Carnival.

FIFA announced that there will be only one international date before the Finals on March 1, and so TT could end up in Wales for the training camp at that time.

The contest between Trinidad and Tobago and England is one of three quirks of the draw that pairs World Cup debutants against their former colonial masters. In the other two, Togo will meet France, and Angola will face Portugal.

TT can call upon no less than 13 players that have first-hand knowledge of English game, albeit mainly in the lower leagues.

Dwight Yorke, now in the twilight of his career in Australia, won the Champions League and English titles with Manchester United, and goalkeeper Shaka Hislop is still appearing in the English Premier-ship with West Ham United.

England captain David Beckham is looking forward to the match against TT and playing former Manchester United team-mate Yorke. "He is someone with whom I share many great memories," the Real Madrid midfielder said.

"But to use an old football cliche there are no easy games. We have to go out and prove we are one of the favourites."

TT’s first match will be against Sweden in Dortmund on June 10, followed by England in Nuremburg on June 15, and their final match of the first phase against Paraguay in Kaiserslautern on June 20.