This country’s senior national footballers broke camp on Thursday all with renewed optimism after attaining their first point of the final CONCACAF 2006 World Cup qualifying round a day earlier.
The UK-based pros were all carded to depart for London on Thursday evening with team captain Dwight Yorke, Shaka Hislop, Stern John, Dennis Lawrence, Carlos Edwards, Hector Sam among them while Clayton Ince, Kenwyne Jones and Silvio Spann leaving on Saturday. Marlon Rojas left on Thursday morning for Real Salt Lake duty. Midfielder Angus Eve, Nigel Pierre, Leslie Fitzpatrick and others remain home and will be here for the arrival of Beenhakker on Monday.
The players were at the Crowne Plaza on Thursday morning, holding talks about their intentions and hopes leading up to the next qualifier at home to Panama on June 4. When the news on the appointment of Leo Beenhakker as head coach reached the players in mid afternoon on Thursday, it had been well received as they were pleased to have been instrumental in the final decision on the coach’s appointment.
“It’s definitely a decision which we respect and one which can improve our chances as team to progress in the competition on our way to the World Cup. It was well thought out decision with the players being informed and asked for their opinions on everything that was taking place. It definitely gives the team a boost ahead of the next match in June,” John said as he and others departed the Piarco International Airport.
Yorke, spoke well of the team’s showing in the 0-0 draw with Costa Rica, adding that there was still reason to believe in T&T’s chances of getting to Germany.
“It was not a classical game by any means but what was important for us was the commitment and determination shown by the players not to have lost a football match,” Yorke told TTFF Media.
“My hat goes off to the players at the back. They worked extremely hard. Ince had a fantastic game. Although at home you are expected to take three points, I’m sure the players will go away with a lot more belief and looking forward to the next game against Panama.”
“There is still a lot of work to be done and there are no two ways about that. We’ve got to accept that and do what is necessary to give ourselves a chance of getting in the top three of the group. This is where the hard work begins now with the new man in charge and the other changes which have been made hopefully for the better of everyone concerned. Everyone has got to now give it their all for the rest of this campaign,” Yorke said.
Moments before the kick off in Wednesday’s match, cricketer Brian Lara met with the members of the team for a pep talk inside the dressing room. He recalled the experience he and the other members of the West Indies cricket team went through before capturing the ICC Champions Trophy last year.
”The chips were all down at a period. The result in this game is destiny, it’s already happened but what is important is how you prepare yourself for it. The West Indies team then had a different attitude from just losing a series 4-0 to then beating Bangladesh, South Africa, Pakistan and then England. Everyone was left surprised that the team could have done that. Everyone wrote us off but we had it in us to win that tournament. We were silent but we were deadly. We executed and I hope that all of you guys understand that when you go out there, you must conquer every fear inside of you and give of your best. Nobody is going to be disappointed with you playing your best. Once you can hold your head up high by fulfilling that talent that you have. Everyone wants to see the team do well and see the guys play at their best. We are playing a team that is ranked higher but the best team doesn’t win but the team that plays together and the one that wants it more is the one comes out successful,” Lara told the players.
He said it was important that the “Warriors” do their part in bringing back the optimism among the fans.
“You must bring back that optimism among the people of Trinidad and Tobago.”