Warriors relax after World Cup

THE LAST 12 hours or so in Germany were of total relaxation for the Trinidad and Tobago footballers after being eliminated from the 2006 World Cup Finals with a 2-0 defeat by Paraguay in Tuesday’s game in Kaiserslautern.

They’ll need it considering they return home today and likely will have a full plate of events over the next week.

Yesterday, most of the players spent the day playing tennis and pool in the lobby of the Landhaus Wachtelhof Hotel in Rotenburg, some feasted on barbecue courtesy eBay and others were catching up on some much needed rest, having gone through the night following the game merely reminiscing about the experience of World Cup. For many, it was more a case of coming to terms with the fact that their lives will return to normalcy after “an experience” on the World Cup football stage, the first for TT and the smallest nation ever to compete at that level. Despite Tuesday’s defeat, the players were cheered on by fans before boarding the flight out of Kaiserslautern and back to their hotel in Rotenburg.

There was not even peace of mind to consider proposed matches with Japan and CONCACAF giants Mexico in the very near future. Only a torn cartilage suffered by speedy striker Cornell Glen dampened the mood of the team somewhat after the Paraguay encounter. And according to a release by Sean Fuentes, the communications officer of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF), Glen will be out of action for at least six weeks — following examinations by a nearby hospital in Kaiserslautern.

“From the moment I landed after trying to skip a tackle, I knew something was wrong,” Glen said. “ No player can feel anything but horrified over that but generally I think we can still feel good after what we have done in Germany.”

The players opted to take the bus which would allow them some six additional hours to spend with each other before arriving at Frankfurt where they took a direct flight to the Piarco International Airport.

They are expected to arrive at 7.30 pm and are expected to be greeted by a delegation to be led by Prime Minister Patrick Manning, members of the TTFF and satisfied fans.

Their appearance will be followed by speeches by members of Government after which they will be whisked out to the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Port- of-Spain.

Expectedly with their energies exhausted from a rigorous campaign in Germany, the players will have a rest day tomorrow.

However, fans wishing to express thanks to the Soca Warriors will have the chance to do so at a public function at the Hasely Crawford Stadium Saturday.

The players will leave the hotel at 3 pm and proceed along Ariapita Avenue which would be decorated with red banners, flags and confetti while people dressed in red will line the street.

The players will make their way to the stadium for a programme filled with entertainment and speeches before concluding with fireworks.