Road to South Africa is clear

Household chores, social activities, even the office were sacrificed at the altar of World Cup. From the screen at home or in the office, to liming in sports bars and the like, we all became addicted to Germany 2006.

Long before kick-off, we had to get ready to watch, and long after the final whistle we had to dissect the match — the goals, the players and the referees.

So what are we going to do now that it’s over? Well don’t ask your boss, or your wife. They have plenty for you to catch up on — in the office and around the house!

Fortunately, we will all survive, as we pick up our work, our chores and our lives. But what about the fervour we developed for our Warriors and our country?

Even though we were out at the end of the first round, the pride re-mained. We remained absorbed by the videos and the stories coming out of our experience in Germany.

Clearly, all Trinis who went to Germany were deeply moved by the experience. They all, whether living in TT or in other parts of the world, discovered their patriotism as our flag, our colours and our “troops” took our place at the most popular event in the world.

Those who stayed at home felt it too, as everyone became absorbed with the fortunes of the team and the activities of the supporters in Ger-many.

Of course, we do have the letters and columns from those who find nothing commendable about our qualification and participation.

We did not win a match, and we did not score a goal, so why should we praise or honour this team?

Well, in the first place the rewards and honours bestowed upon the team were albeit belatedly for qualifying to get to Germany, not necessarily for the performances there.

And performance is related to expectation. For the first time ever, we appeared, as a majority, to understand this. We did not have to beat teams, or even score goals, to perform above our expectations, or far above the expectations of the world.

We have every right to feel proud of our team. We performed far above what the whole world — and many Trinis — expected of us.

Big, first-world nations also honour their teams, even when they don’t win, but if they performed above expectations.

Germany, France and Portugal (as well as third-world Ghana) all celebrated and honoured their teams — for performance, if not for victory.

Conversely under-achievers — who did not live up to expectations — like Brazil and England, received no accolades on their return home.

According to my calculations, TT finished the tournament in 27th place — ahead of Togo, Costa Rica and Serbia Monte-negro (all with zero points) as well as Saudi Arabia and Japan, who like us, earned one point.

Others on one point, but who finished ahead of us on goal difference were Tunisia, Iran and USA.

Although we did not score a goal, of the nine teams with one point or less, we had the fewest goals scored against us.

Our performances — if not results — were consistently praised by some of the most cynical sports journalists worldwide. So, all of you who celebrated — you had every right. Please continue!

But what will you do with this newly discovered patriotism, this pride in our flag and our colours? Will you put it on the shelf until we have almost qualified for South Africa? (That’s how it was for Germany, remember?)

Well, you may ask — what vehicle exists for you to support TT football? What is happening between now and South Africa 2010? What about after South Africa (2014 and beyond)? Who is thinking, far less planning for all that?

Well, in case you had not heard, the road to South Africa and beyond is pretty well laid out. Not, mind you, in terms of which CONCACAF countries we will initially play against, but in terms of meaningful, competitive matches over the next year or two, when we begin the actual competition for a place in South Africa.

The Soca Warriors will compete in the Digicel Caribbean Cup in November, heading for the CONCACAF Gold Cup in the USA next year. Then, in 2008 they begin their qualifying matches for South Africa.

The Under-21 team, albeit disappointing in the qualification for the CAC Games, is seeking qualification for the Pan American Games 2007, and then (as Under-23s) for the Olympics in Beijing 2008.

The Under-19 team will begin CFU qualification, to go to CONCACAF and FIFA Under-20 Championships in 2007. Some of these players will “graduate” to the Olympic Squad by 2008, and some will then step up to the World Cup squad for 2010.

These teams — the “feeders” for the Soca Warriors need your support and your flags now, if we are serious about South Africa 2010.

And finally, football’s next major event is the Caribbean Football Union’s Under-16 Carib-bean Youth Cup, to be held in TT from August 14.

Twenty-four Caribbean Youth teams, plus guest teams Mexico, Canada, Panama and Guatemala will be here to select the Caribbean qualifiers for the FIFA Under-17 Championships in 2007.

FIFA Under-17 is the cradle for the World Cup. Our young team needs your support now as does the whole tournament. Remember 2001, when we hosted he FIFA Under-17 here, and how exciting it was?

Do you know that 13 of the young players who were here in 2001 represented their countries in Germany?

So, will you who ask, what next? Just wait for South Africa, or will you stay with the vibes created by the Soca Warriors and get out there, with your flags and your music, to support all of our football all of the time. We wait to see!

And to those of you who still “need” a Trini activity to support, right now: Go down to the Hasely Crawford Stadium today, with your family, to cheer on young Trinidad and Tobago athletes in the CAC Junior Champion-ships. Go Now!