Bahrain under fan pressure

And this burden of expectation by the Bahraini public could be to Trinidad and Tobago’s advantage.

This is the view of Mike Berry, the director of Imageview Management Limited and an FA Licensed Players’ Agent who is based in Manchester, England.

No stranger to Trinidad and Tobago, Berry has negotiated deals for and represents top Trinidad and Tobago players Brent Sancho, Hector Sam, goalkeepers Clayton Ince and Kelvin Jack; and Densil Theobald. Berry is in Manama for tomorrow’s match, travelling on the Air Tahiti Nui flight from Port-of-Spain to Bahrain with the national football team and their supporters.

Berry yesterday described the two-leg World Cup play-off as "one match" and says that the current score is one-all after the "first half."

Trinidad and Tobago played to a 1-1 draw with Bahrain on Saturday at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo in the first leg.

He said Trinidad and Tobago could have easily gone ahead by three goals in the first half, from a Marvin Andrews header, a stinging right-footer by England-born Christopher Birchall; and a Dwight Yorke attempt close to goal — all beautifully saved by the Bahrain custodian.

However he said he was surprised by the attacking tactics employed by the Bahrainis who before the match were described as a defensive minded outfit.

Berry said that to win tomorrow Trinidad and Tobago must play better than they did in Port-of-Spain on Saturday.

He also said it would be a tremendous boost for the footballers on the international stage should the Warriors qualify for the World Cup finals next year.

"It would be a great platform. Everyone must be proud of the achievement even reaching this far," said Berry.

He predicted that the value would go up for players who ply their trade particularly in England and in the United States.

The Liverpool born also said that tremendous international interest in the twin-island state would be generated as football fans around the world would be yearning for information on the smallest country to qualify for a World Cup finals.

As a players’ agent Berry said he does more than sign up players to English teams.

He has been associated with Trinidad and Tobago players for the past seven years making frequent trips to the Caribbean.

He says he negotiates deals for the players with English clubs and help them settle in because when leaving their homeland, many of them for the first time, are quite vulnerable.

"The weather is miserable, the English food is poor and many become homesick after the first 12 months so it takes some doing to get them focused and battered down to playing football professionally to fulfil their contracts,"’ Berry said.

He said Sancho amd Sam stand out as two players who have come from challenging backgrounds to do well in the United Kingdom.