Bahrain arrive after 16-hour journey

The teams will meet in the return leg on November 16, with the winners advancing to the FIFA World Cup in Germany next year.

Edwards, as well as a number of his team-mates, returned home from London, England, via Barbados, on BW901. Also on the flight were the Bahrain team, technical staff and Bahrain Football Association (BFA) officials.

Other TT players on board were goalkeepers Kelvin Jack and Clayton Ince, defenders Ian Cox and Marvin "Dog" Andrews, and forward Jason Scotland.

"It’s a good feeling because we came so far into the play-offs now and the fate is in our own hands," said the 26-year-old Edwards,

"So we just have to go out there and prove to the country that we deserve to Germany (in) 2006," he said. "We just have to continue to do what we do best (and) that’s winning matches."

"We’ve been on a run (in) the last two matches that we’ve played so we just have to continue doing what we’ve been doing and stick to the basics," The midfielder, who is based at English First Division club Luton Town said. Concerning the mood with his club, Edwards said: "Everyone is happy for us and for me (at) Luton, the manager and the fans, everyone is happy and looking forward for, hopefully, one of their players to be representing a country in the World Cup."

He stressed that he was always fit.

"I’m mentally strong and physically strong for the game on Saturday and hopefully I can stay so for the return leg on Wednesday," he added. Bahrain coach Luca Peruzovic declined to speak to the media following their marathon 16-hour journey from the Middle East kingdom yesterday morning.