World Cup qualification is a recipe for national unity.
This is the view of Clayton Morris, the man who led Trinidad and Tobago to within a point of the 1990 World Cup Finals in Italy.
Yesterday, T&T beat host team Bahrain one-nil to win their two-legged play-off 2-1 on aggregate and qualify for Germany 2006.
Morris told the Express, yesterday, he was "very pleased".
"I look forward to seeing the newspapers. Instead of murder, the national team will be everywhere. Everything will be World Cup. I'm in traffic right now and water has overflowed the Caroni Bridge, but everybody is smiling. There is unity and camaraderie.
"This is an accomplishment," the Strike Squad skipper continued.
"It's very pleasing to see guys who were part of the 1990 campaign on this team-Dwight (Yorke), Russell (Latapy) and Michael Maurice, who is now part of the technical staff."
However, Morris explained that from a personal standpoint, nothing could ever make up for the 1-nil defeat at the hands of the United States, in T&T's final Concacaf World Cup qualifying fixture on the Road to Italy 1990.
"That pain and grief can never be eradicated. Every footballer's dream is to play in the World Cup. That was my dream.
"But I hope this achievement," he continued, "will result in respect for footballers. The Strike Squad players weren't given an invitation for the home game against Bahrain. I watched it from my bedroom. In 1989, we met the 1973 team on the field, and that was an honour for me to meet the likes of Warren Archibald. We have shown we can unite an entire nation. We should be respected."
Morris paid tribute to defender Dennis Lawrence, who headed home a Yorke corner for yesterday's only goal.
"Everybody would want to give Dennis a hug. I don't want to blow my own trumpet, but it was very pleasing to see him score, since I was instrumental in getting Dennis onto the national team. Also, Silvio Spann and Cyd Gray. And even Aurtis Whitley. When he was frustrated under Bertille St Clair, I picked up the phone and encouraged him. I told him this is bigger than the coach."
Alvin Corneal has described T&T's qualification for the 2006 World Cup Finals in Germany as a"tremendous achievement".
"We've always been knocking on the door, but the planning this time was a bit better. We were more mature and able to approach qualification in a sensible manner."
Corneal, a former national cplayer and coach, was high in praise for current national senior team boss Leo Beenhakker.
"Credit to coach Beenhakker. He had tough decisions to make and he made them very well. For instance, not starting with (Russell) Latapy today. That was a courageous decision, but it was the right one. Latapy did not enjoy the home game, and Beenhakker realised that at 37, he can't cope with the speed of the Bahrain players. He used a younger, stronger player (Kenwyne Jones) to gain an advantage. And then, Beenhakker brought on Latapy for his experience, and he nearly scored. That was a master stroke. And the fans too did a tremendous amount."
Late in yesterday's game, T&T keeper Kelvin Jack attempted to kick the ball upfield, but was robbed by a Bahrain player, who slotted home. The goal, though, was disallowed. In an interview, after the match, Bahrain coach Luka Peruzovic expressed the view that the goal was legitimate. Corneal did not concur.
"I was very disappointed that an international coach would make such a comment. If the ball is in the keeper's hand, you cannot confront him. That's a rule. You cannot obstruct the keeper when he's getting rid of the ball, and Jack was obstructed."
Corneal, a T&T standout in his playing days, told the Express the country has a lot to gain from World Cup qualification.
"People will understand how effective sport is in society. This will help the economy and it will help young people see that dreams can be realised.
"Coming close in 1973," Corneal continued," showed us the dream is possible. And the performances in '73 and '89 went a long way in gaining the respect of the world. But nothing comes before its time."