Warner: TT on road to W/Cup 2006

TRINIDAD and Tobago footballers have left FIFA vice-president Jack Austin Warner believing they will make it to World Germany 2006. Following their 1-1 draw with the Koreans, semi-finalists at the 2002 World Cup, in their international friendly on Wednesday last at the Seoul World Cup Stadium, Warner who is a special adviser to the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation, said the result should go a long way into giving the team the confidence needed as their World Cup campaign goes into top gear.

He pointed out however, that the international friendly against arch-rivals Jamaica, the Reggae Boyz, in Miami, scheduled for August 11 is now on hold, and instead a game against Haiti on that date is soon to be confirmed. This game will be the final tune-up for Trinidad and Tobago before they take on St Vincent in their first CONCACAF semi-final round match in Arnos Vale, St Vincent, on August 18. Warner, in bouyant mood after the Korean game said: “One has every reason to be proud, and I keep making the point that what will get this team through to Germany is heart and guts.  That is exactly what we saw against Korea, something whe had not seen before.” He added: “Korea got two shocks, the Angostura Woodbrook Playboyz steel orchestra playing their national anthem off the field and the footballers on the field.”

He said the steelband also thrilled the crowd with the playing of some of their local favourites which was televised, and had curious Koreans asking for more. Warner who left for the Asian Games in China said, the 1-1 result did not go down well with the Korean Football Association administration. He said it turned out to be a good thing some of out so-called stars were not available for the tour, which also took in a match against Thailand which the Thais won 3-2 after Trinidad and Tobago led 2-0. Warner said, the unavailability of the “stars” made us see there are players who are hungry for selection, including Scott Sealy, Derek King, Marlon Rojas, Jason Scotland and goalkeeper Kelvin Jack. He said, “the team can only grow from strength to strength now.”