Beenhakker happy at six-subs against Iceland

The Soca Warriors play the Icelanders at Loftus Road from 8 pm (4 pm TT time) in their first match in preparation for World Cup Germany 2006 which kicks off in June.

Beenhakker was very grateful to the match organisers for allowing him to give as many players as possible a chance to impress him.

The Warriors will be playing as a team for the first time since November last, when they edged Bahrain 1-0 in Manamar to earn the right to play in the World Cup finals for the first time ever.

To make today’s game even more competitive, the Tourism Development Company has sponsered a trophy, the TDC Pre-World Cup Trophy, and have pre-sold 7,000 tickets up to yesterday. A large contingent of TT fans, including those from the recently established "Warrior Nation" supporters group and others from the Caribbean Community in England are expected to be at Loftus Road.

Beenhakker and his team attended a press conference at their base at Renaissance Hotel at which the team’s new Adidas World Cup kit was unveiled.

Also attending were FIFA vice-president Jack Warner, representatives from leading UK, German and Swedish media.

Warner spoke of his expectations for the team in today’s match as well as the World Cup in June.

He said: "We are going to ensure that we give the best possible presentation to the world. We are not going there to just make up numbers...we must show the world we can compete, and I want to assure you that this will happen.

"We had two inspirations, to get the World Cup which we did and to get to play England, and we have also done this."

Beenhakker said everyone is talking about the England game and how much we want to beat them. He added: " Of course the England game is big because they have a rich history and they have good players but we have two more matches to play as well and we intend to go there and play our best football."

Meanwhile,Soca Warriors skipper Dwight Yorke seems headed back to England after receiving several offers.

He said over the past Christmas holidays he was invited to train with Manchester United at Old Trafford, but have not received any offer from them.

Midfielder Aurtis Whitley arrived here yesterday morning following a delayed flight and joined the squad for a session along with new recruit Fulham goalkeeper Anthony Warner.

Russell Latapy, Stern John, Kenwyne Jones looked good ahead of today’s game, also the defensive duo of Dennis Lawrence and Marvin Andrews.

Nigel Henry, Anthony Noreiga, Cyd Gray, Avery John, Silvio Spann, Carlos Edwards, Ricky Shakes, Kevon Neaves and Collin Samuel also looked quite sharp in training.

And while coach Beenhakker is expected to give Warner a chance to press for selection, Shaka Hislop and Clayton Ince are also vying for the gloves.