TT can be surprise team at World Cup

Beckenbauer, the chairman of the Germany 2006 World Cup Organising Committee, was the guest of honour at a reception held on Monday night at the Hilton Hotel, St Ann’s, during his day-long visit to Trinidad.

Questioned about TT’s chances in the 32-team competition, the 61-year-old Beckenbauer responded, "it’s up to them.

"They have three games in the group phase, they play England, Sweden and Paraguay," he continued. "I think Trinidad and Tobago have a good team.

Beckenbauer admitted that the TT squad, based on the fact that they will be making their World Cup debut, may have a tougher chance of success.

"In the World Cup, games are completely different to exhibition games, even to a qualifying game," he added. "But they’re playing wonderful football and they can be a surprise."

The former German sweeper, who is one of only two persons (Brazil’s Mario Zagallo is the other) to win the World Cup as a player (1974) and coach (1990), extended a warm welcome to Trinidad and Tobago as they enter the World Cup stage.

"We’re very happy to have Trinidad and Tobago play in the World Cup," he commented. "We knew Trinidad and Tobago is the smallest country ever to play in the World Cup. It’s a great chance for them to express themselves in the World Cup."

Concerning the controversial ticketing issue involving FIFA vice-president Jack Austin Warner, Beckenbauer stressed, "it’s not our business.

He emphasised, "our business is to give the participating countries the tickets (that) they deserve and what they are doing with the tickets is not our business."

He was pleased to see the twin-island republic, adding, "I have been here several times.

"The first time I (came) to the country was in 1977," he reflected. "I was a player with New York Cosmos. I still remember the enthusiasm in the (Queen’s Park Oval).

"It was completely sold out and it was like a Carnival," he continued. "From this moment on, Trinidad and Tobago is one of my favourite countries."

Beckenbauer earned the nickname "Kaiser" for his elegant style, leadership qualities and dominance on the football pitch.

And he is eager to ensure that the forthcoming tournament is a success, both on and off the field. "To host the World Cup, it happens to you once in your life," he noted. "To play in the World Cup or to be a coach, it happens to you every four years.

"But to organise a World Cup, it only happens once in your life. That, of course, is the biggest challenge," he added.