It’s not over...

TRINIDAD and Tobago faces an uphill task to extend their stay at the World Cup Finals in Germany.

But coach Leo Beenhakker insists that it’s not over until it’s over.

And to prove it, he gave the players a day to relax and take their minds off the 2-0 loss to England.

They used it in true Trini-style, playing a game of limited overs windball cricket.

Defender Marvin Andrews, clearly recovering from a knee injury, accounted for 50 of 77 runs scored by the team led by Dennis Lawrence. Skipper Dwight Yorke’s team scored a paltry 42 in reply. Andrews also had two catches.

The Dutchman said that although the Soca Warriors are disappointed at their 2-0 defeat against England in Nuremberg on Thursday, they are still in with a mathematical chance of sneaking in to the round of 16.

His preparations for the final Group ‘B’ match against Paraguay in Kaiserslautern on Tuesday will begin in earnest today when the team regroups after a 24-hour break from camp in Rotenburg.

In the post-match media conference in the Frankon Stadion Beenhakker said that the players hate to lose and were all disappointed. “I don’t like players who just after losing a match go out dancing and singing. But they also know that they did all they could. They played with a lot of courage and passion and that`s the only way we can do it,” Beenhakker said.

He said that when the Soca Warriors start their preparations for the Paraguay match they will do what is necessary to give their best and play with the passion for which they have become known. Beenhakker also said that after two matches he hardly expected his previously unknown team to still be in with a chance of qualifying for the last 16 round of the World Cup.

“No, we didn`t expect it but we worked for it and earned it. It was very tough but we were confident that we would do a good job. But at the same time we realised that it was going to be tough,” Beenhakker said.

He also compared the importance of Yorke and Shaka Hislop to the role of David Beckham for England.

“We have a lot of old players and don’t have much of a choice like England and we are so far removed from from this level of the game. But they have a lot of talent and recognise the importance of playing as a team,” Beenhakker said.

He said the experienced players like Yorke and Hislop read the game well and can transulate directions from the coach’s bench qualities which were important to the team.

He also defended the decision to play several pre-World Cup warm-up matches against the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Wales which the Soca Warriors all lost.

“My players are not used to the fast game of the European teams. And I also thought that the Czech Republic as one of the best teams in the world and if they have all their players it can have a lot of benefit,” Beenhakker said.

The Soca Warriors aslo got more good news yesterday. Central defender Marvin Andrews and goalkeeper Kelvin Jack participated in a one-hour recovery session.

Jack has been declared fit to play against Paraguay. Andrews continues to improve and could be an option for Beenhakker. Defender Avery John, who was red-carded against Sweden, is eligible to return to the pitch.

Yorke said the team has a good reason to be proud.

“It’s great that everyone can see this but we also want them to know that it’s not just happened easily. It’s come about because of hard work and dedication and belief as well. Everyone in this team deserves full credit for this. We thank the people as well for the support they have shown us,” Yorke told TTFF Media. “We had a game plan and we stuck to it. We tried to make the biggest upset in football history but it didn’t happen. We made the English panic for 83 minutes though.”

Yorke also pointed out that there is hope for the Warriors to make it to the second round, and that England will have to play a role in getting there.

“I am sure (England) will do that and beat Sweden for us and we have to get the job done versus Paraguay,” Yorke said. “We probably will ask them to do us a favour now. The most important thing is that we gave ourselves a chance and people didn’t think we can do that and here we are still biting in there.”