Yorke:‘Soca Warriors’ ...good as any

Yorke who has been in training with Manchester United players at Old Trafford in preparation for the world Football extravaganza said the “Soca Warriors” will be going to Germany to prove they are more than just first time outsiders when they face first round opponents England, Paraguay and Sweden.

“Realistically we are going there to compete. We have a 50-50 chance like everybody else. We have been in situations where we were perhaps the better team and didn’t get the results.

“It’s eleven versus eleven and we will be going to Germany with that mentality,” Yorke said.

The Sydney FC winning captain is expected here in early May to lead his team against Peru in their farewell international friendly on May 10.

“Whoever the manager brings in we have to ensure that they are welcomed and you can see the guys are very enthusiastic.

“I think we have to go their as a group to make sure we can compete with the very best. To get a victory like we did in our last game against Iceland away from home was very rewarding.

“These games are selected through management staff and based on the teams that we are likely to come up against in Germany”

“So far things seem to be going in the right direction and hopefully we can hit it off again the next time we are together (against Peru),” Yorke added.

The 34-year-old former Aston Villa and Manchester United star also made a call to the country to take inspiration out of the team’s achievements and the fact that as a result of it, the country is being recognised worldwide since qualifying.

As a result, Yorke said his life has enjoyed a positive effect.

“Life has been great since qualification, not that my life has been that bad before. If there was anything missing from it, this is now like putting the icing on the cake. At the World Cup at 34, you think you are coming to the twilight of your career which I am but to be leading the Trinidad and Tobago team to the World Cup is the best thing possible that could have happened to me,” Yorke said.

Yorke added: “I think the people of Trinidad and Tobago should have a lot of faith and encouragement from my team.

“We want to thank everyone who supported us through good and bad times and everyone who has been instrumental in the team’s success.”

Meanwhile, assistant coach Wim Rijsbergen arrived here a week ago and coach Beenhakker is expectednext week to prepare for the Peru match. The remaining preparation schedule calls for matches against Slovenia, Wales and Czech Republic, all away.