Soca Warriors vs English Lions in Nuremberg

THE EXPECTATION here and around the world is high that the Trinidad and Tobago football team will turn in another fantastic performance in their first World Cup Finals when they clash with England in Nuremberg today at noon.

All week thousands of Soca Warriors fans and their English counterparts have been flocking to this city in south-east Germany for what is being billed as the Caribbean team`s biggest match in their history. And a sellout crowd of 42,600 is likely at the Franken-Stadion when the smallest nation ever to qualify for the World Cup comes up against the former winners and one of their favourites to cop the crown in just over three weeks.

However the English, who have always promised and have failed to deliver each time are beset by injury problems and sharp media criticism after a lacklustre performance against Paraguay in their first Group “B” outing last Saturday.

On the other hand, Trinidad and Tobago have captured the imagination of the world with an inspired and admirable display against Sweden holding on for a 0-0 draw playing with ten men in the second half.

On Wednesday, when the Soca Warriors completed a one-hour practice at the Nuremberg Stadium, coach Leo Beenhakker insisted that his team will be going all out to do what is considered the impossible — beat England. “We did not come here to just participate. We are here to play to the best of our abilities and win. We respect our opponents but the game is football and anything can happen,” said the Dutchman.

The Soca Warriors have a full complement of players to select from as both goalkeeper Kelvin Jack and central defender Marvin Andrews have recovered from their injuries which kept them from playing in the first match against Sweden in Dortmund last Saturday. However Beenhakker has indicated that West Ham goalkeeper Shaka Hislop, who had a slight thigh strain on Tuesday will keep his position between the uprights after his impressive display against Sweden when he kept a clean sheet.

It is highly likely that Brent Sancho will be switched to the left back position to replace Avery John who was sent off on Saturday — after receiving the first red card of the 2006 World Cup. This would enable exciting midfielder Aurtis Whitley who plays for CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh in the TT Pro League to regain his position on the team and add some much needed offence to the Trinidad and Tobago attack.

This will be especially important since captain Dwight Yorke is expected to be asked by coach Beenhakker to play in a defensive role as he did with great effect on Saturday against Sweden.

Another player who could see some action today is the experienced Russell Latapy who was benched against the Swedes but could come on as a substitute later in the match to strengthen the midfield and add some more firepower with a fresh pair of legs.

Beenhakker as usual is keeping his cards close to his chest but as he has done in the past could spring a surprise and make a significant impact on the game as the English are yet to properly assess what to expect from the Caribbean side.

More than half of the Soca Warriors play in England and their experience against opponents whose style they are familiar with is expected to be a major factor if they are to come away with at least a draw. This would be the best result for the World Cup debutants and a victory in their last match should England defeat Sweden in Berlin later on Tuesday will realise the improbable — qualification into the last 16 of the tournament and a possible clash with hosts Germany.

Another factor that could have an effect in today`s encounter in Nuremberg is the unseasonal hot weather experienced in Germany the past week. Temperatures are expected to soar once again which will place the English at a great disadvantage as they have been complaining of the heat which has caused them to consume three times the amount of liquids they normally drink. And the German fans are widely expected to be rooting for the Soca Warriors as they have become everyones second favourites since their brave performance against Sweden.

Already Ireland, Scotland and Wales have thrown their support behind the Caribbean team since neither of the three are present in Germany but are represented by Trinidad and Tobago players who play for clubs there.

In any event a tremendous atmosphere is expected when one of the biggest football nations in the world come up against the smallest ever with history on the side of the underdog.

A note of caution however was sounded by an English journalist here in Nuremberg on yesterday when he pointed out that everything should be fine if England win but warned to expect trouble from the hooligan element of the England fans if they lose or draw.