Brits join Trinis against Paraguay

One English fan identified only as Ian from Lancaster hailed the pre-match camaraderie during the coin-toss between the two captains, David Beckham and Dwight Yorke, saying, “You could see they are friends.” Caroline Lewis, who described her ancestry as Martiniquan, Trinidadian and English, was split bettween England and TT in her loyalties but was very impressed with the Warriors’ strength and determination to fight, especially Shaka Hislop. She hoped the Warriors’ performance would lift the nation of TT.

Welshman Ken Davies of Pontyclun near Cardiff was supporting TT and said they had played unbelievably well. “They could have snatched a goal or two.” Saying the game was even for 80 minutes, he said everyone should feel very proud of the Warriors who had done a tremendous job. “I’m not anti-English. I want Trinidad and Tobago to go through.”

His Singaporean wife, Nina Davies, was cheering England’s win, but said she will back TT against Paraguay as she had done against Sweden.

England fan Jo Goodliffe admitted to having been worried in the first half saying, “I think Trinidad and Tobago did very well, but I think England had the edge.” An England fan, who identified herself only asAndrea from Brackley near Northampton, said TT had played a fantastic game. She disclosed that she knew of many Englishmen living in TT who had flown off to Germany to see the game live.

Mitchell Wiltshire, who has Trinidadian parentage but lives in England, was happy England won but was glad the result was not as bad as six-nil, for example. TT supporters, sisters Raquel and Sabrina Ho, looked disheartened at the result. Raquel said, “I don’t know what happened. TT played well but not good enough.” TT fan Christian Dookie thought the Warriors had played well.

“England is a big team and we did our best. We now have to beat Paraguay and we will.” TT fan Brenda Pakeera said, “We played very well and will ‘bust’ up Paraguay next week.” A TT fan identifying himself only as Brian said, “It was a good match. I was surprised we lost.”

TT fan Natalie George said TT played exceptionally well and hoped the Warriors’ performances would inspire the country in other areas.

“I hope TT will learn as a country from this experience that we can achieve anything we want to achieve. This is the spirit we need to have everyday in this country.”